The use of autologous and allogeneic venous grafts for arteriovenous fistulas in chronic haemodialysis.

The development of haemodialysis treatment and kidney transplantation has brought forth effective therapy and long-term survival in patients with irreversible renal failure. One of the factors limiting successful long-term treatment is the difficulty involved in the patients repeatedly on to the artificial kidney. Once all the routine techniques of creating subcutaneous arteriovenous have been exploited, the use of venous grafts provides further opportunities for vascular access for regular haemodialysis. Evaluation of the immediate results and of long-term average cumulative patency in 24 autologous and 24 stored allogeneic venous grafts revealed fewer complications and better long-term usability in venous allografts. Allogeneic venous grafts appear to offer a suitable replacement for venous autografts in the surgical technique of arteriovenous fistulas. Their advantages include easy availability, low cost, and long-term usability in chronic dialysis.