Brachial artery-jugular vein jump graft: a salvage procedure for vascular access.

A prospective analysis was made on 11 patients who received a brachial artery-external/internal jugular polytetrafluoroethylene jump graft for hemodialysis access. The procedure was chosen because of exhaustion of the veins in the upper extremity owing to previous multiple failed fistulas or grafts. In two patients, the procedure failed after several months. Six patients retained functioning grafts for >18 months after shunt construction. Three patients are still under observation and have a functional graft after 3 months. We believe that the brachial artery-external/internal jugular vein jump graft is a salvage procedure that can be used for vascular access when all upper extremity veins, including the subclavian or axillary veins, cannot be used.