Vascular access cannulation in hemodialysis patients: technical approach

[Multiple Single Cannulation Technique Improves the Outcomes of Arteriovenous Graft in Hemodialysis Patients: A Retrospective Study]

Objective

To evaluate the effects of the multiple single cannulation technique (MUST) on the outcomes of arteriovenous graft (AVG).

Methods

A retrospective study of AVG created between January 2018 and December 2021 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University was conducted. The clinical data of patients and their follow-up data for venous access were analyzed. Subjects were divided into the MUST group or the non-MUST group according to whether MUST was used. The cumulative patency rate and complication incidence were compared between the two groups. Logistic regression was applied to analyze the influencing factors of applying MUST in AVG.

Results

The MUST group included 115 AVG and the non-MUST group, 122 AVG. The 1-year, 2-year, 3-year, and 4-year cumulative patency rates of the MUST group were 100%, 99.1%, 95.2%, 85.4%, and 73.2%, respectively, while those for the non-MUST group were 97.5%, 92.7%, 77.7%, 69.7%, and 50.0%, respectively, with the 2-year and 3-year patency rates showing significant difference (P=0.022, P=0.004). The standard intervention rate expressed in (median [interquartile range]) in the MUST group was significantly lower than that in the non-MUST group (0.46 [0.00, 0.94] vs. 0.97 [0.60, 1.59], Z=-5.808, P<0.001). A total of 24 (20.9%) AVG in the MUST group and 60 (49.2%) AVG in the non-MUST group had a standard intervention rate >1.0 per patient-year, with significant difference between the two groups. Three (2.6%) AVG in the MUST group and 7 (5.7%) AVG in the non-MUST group were complicated by aneurysm (χ 2=20.737, P<0.001). One (0.9%) AVG in the MUST group and 6 (4.9%) AVG in the non-MUST group had graft infection, with the difference between the groups showing no significance (P=0.121). Multivariate logistic regression showed that dialysis in the alliance facilities (odds ratio [OR]=2.713, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.698-4.336, P<0.001], and excellent follow-up [OR=2.189, 95% CI: 1.221-3.927, P=0.009] were the influencing factors of applying MUST in AVG.

Conclusion

MUST improves the cumulative patency of AVG and decreases the intervention frequency and the incidence of aneurysm without increasing the risk of graft infection.

Effect of needles distance of arteriovenous fistula cannulation on hemodialysis adequacy based on KT/V: a randomized controlled trial

Background

This study aims to assess the effect of needle distance of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) cannulation on haemodialysis adequacy based on KT/V.

Materials and methods

This study was a parallel-group, randomized controlled trial. Patients who met the inclusion criteria were divided into two groups with 3 and 6 cm needle distances using block randomization. Data acquisition transpired through a comprehensive checklist encompassing demographic variables such as age and sex, alongside clinical metrics comprising actual weight, dry weight, average dialysis duration, fistula longevity, and KT/V rate.

Results

A total of 42 haemodialysis patients were enroled in this investigation, with 21 allocated to the 3 cm needle distance group and another 21 to the 6 cm needle distance group. The mean post-haemodialysis KT/V values for the 3 cm and 6 cm needle distance groups were 1.25 (SD=0.25) and 1.42 (SD=0.24), respectively, demonstrating a statistically significant difference (P<0.001). While there was no significant difference in the average pre-haemodialysis and post-haemodialysis KT/V values within the 3 cm needle distance group (t=1.93, P=0.068), the corresponding values for the 6 cm needle distance group exhibited a notable discrepancy (t=9.66, P<0.001).

Conclusion

In general, a needle distance of 6 cm between arteriovenous points yielded superior enhancements in dialysis adequacy compared to a 3 cm needle distance following haemodialysis. Consequently, health administrators and policymakers may consider instituting efficacious interventions to scrutinize the care and therapeutic protocols for haemodialysis patients, involving the development of policies and applications.

Patency and Durability of Stent Grafts Placed in the Dialysis Circuit Cannulation Zone

PURPOSE

To investigate the safety, durability, and patency rates of stent grafts (SGs) placed in the cannulation zone of hemodialysis access circuits.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From April 2020 to April 2023, all procedures with SGs placed in the cannulation zone were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 40 patients (25 men and 15 women) with SGs placed in the cannulation zone were included in the study. Mean age of the patients was 70 years. The Covera covered stent (BD, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey) was used in all cases. Of these, 26 were arteriovenous (AV) fistulae and 14 were AV grafts. SGs were placed for residual stenosis, perforation, aneurysm, and thrombosis. Follow-up outcomes were determined using follow-up angiographic images and included primary patency, primary-assisted patency, and secondary patency.

RESULTS

The primary patency of the target lesion was 89% (SD ± 5) and 74% (SD ± 8.4) at 6 and 12 months, respectively. The primary-assisted patency was 89% (SD ± 5.2) and 78% (SD ± 7.6) at 6 and 12 months, respectively. Secondary patency of the access circuit was 97% (SD ± 2.5) at both 6 and 12 months. Mean follow-up was 332 days (range, 28-661 days). All SGs were successfully cannulated for hemodialysis. No cases of stent fracture or stent infection were observed during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

SGs placed for cannulation zone pathologies can be safely cannulated for dialysis and have adequate short- and mid-term patency rates.

Needle Direction and Distance of Arteriovenous Fistula Cannulation in Hemodialysis Adequacy; a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize the evidence regarding the impact of needle direction and distance of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) cannulation on KT/V (where k is the dialyzer urea clearance, t, the duration of dialysis, and V, the volume of distribution of urea) and access recirculation (AR) as hemodialysis (HD) adequacy criteria.

Methods

A comprehensive systematic search was performed on international and domestic electronic databases from the earliest to June 4, 2022 using keywords. Analysis was performed in STATA software v.14.

Results

Three randomized control trials (RCTs) and four non-RCT articles were included in the final review. Six studies reported the effects of direction, while four mentioned the effects of distances of AVF cannulation on outcomes of HD adequacy based on KT/V or AR. Results of three non-RCT studies showed that retrograde direction decreased KT/V more than antegrade direction (ES: 0.44, 95% CI: -0.38 to 1.27). Two non-RCT studies showed that antegrade decreased AR compared to the retrograde direction (ES: -0.64, 95%CI: -1.94 to 0.67). However, the results of two RCTs indicated uncertainty about this issue. Two of the four studies suggested that a distance of 5 cm or more in arterial and venous needles had greater adequacy than a distance of less than 5 cm. However, other studies did not confirm this finding.

Conclusion

Overall comparison of the results qualitatively and quantitatively indicated uncertainty about the effects of direction and distance of AVF cannulation on HD adequacy outcomes. More studies with high-quality designs, such as RCTs, are required to better understand and adjudicate the effects of needle direction and distance of AVF cannulation on HD adequacy outcomes.

[Cuidados del acceso vascular para hemodiálisis: revisión integrativaCare with vascular access routes for hemodialysis: integrative]

Introduction

Complications related to vascular access for hemodialysis can result in complex interventions, however, care taken by health professionals and adult patients can avoid them. The objective was to analyze the scientific production about care with vascular access used in hemodialysis for the development of the content of an educational booklet aimed at patient self-care.

Method

Integrative literature review carried out in the following databases: LILACS, PUBMED, BDENF, SciELO and CINAHL. The search for studies took place between September and November 2019, in Portuguese, English or Spanish, using the terms of DeCS and MeSH. The selection of articles was performed by three researchers and information was extracted: country, year of publication, study design, number of patients, interventions, outcomes and level of scientific evidence. Ten articles processed in the IRAMUTEQ® software and descriptively analyzed using the Reinert model were selected.

Results

Seven classes were organized: Catheter care after hemodialysis; Care of the AVF before hemodialysis; Care with AVF after hemodialysis; Care to avoid interruption of AVF operation; Self-care of patients with AVF; Care performed by the nursing team; Patient knowledge about skin care and AVF puncture.

Conclusion

It was identified that the care with the most frequent vascular accesses is related to the arteriovenous fistula, demonstrating its great representation in the treatment of patients with chronic kidney disease. The synthesis of knowledge provided in this review was used to prepare an educational booklet that has already been validated by specialists and by patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Using two-holed needles for both arterial and venous accesses to the arteriovenous fistula to improve flow during hemodialysis

This prospective study compared methods using both arterial and venous needles with back eyes with those using only arterial needle with back eye for arteriovenous fistula cannulation. Sixty-one patients receiving hemodialysis (HD) via an arteriovenous fistula were evaluated. All patients underwent arteriovenous fistula puncture using only arterial needle with back eye in first 3 months and both arterial and venous needles with back eyes in following 3 months. Arterial and venous pressures, blood flow velocities, total blood volume cleared, and Kt/V values were compared. Mean blood flow velocity, arterial pressure, Kt/V, and cleared total blood volume values were higher and venous pressure was lower in patients who underwent cannulation using both needles with back eyes than in those with only the arterial needle with back eye. For arteriovenous fistula cannulation, using both arterial and venous needles with back eyes provides adequate HD more successfully.

Relationship between arteriovenous fistula cannulation practices and dialysis adequacy: A prospective, multicenter study

BACKGROUND

Successful arteriovenous fistula cannulation ensures maximum patient benefit in the haemodialysis procedure.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of various cannulation methods used for arteriovenous fistulas on dialysis adequacy.

DESIGN

It is a descriptive, cross-sectional and multicenter study.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 164 dialysis patients from four dialysis centers were included.

MEASUREMENTS

Data were collected by determining patients' characteristics and the arteriovenous fistula cannulation method used, in addition to recording the Kt/V and urea reduction ratio values to evaluate dialysis adequacy. The mean Kt/V and urea reduction ratio values over 3 months after dialysis initiation were used. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04270292.

RESULTS

Cannulation with the puncture method was used in 53% of the patients; the fistula needles were inserted in the antegrade direction in 43.9% of the patients; the arterial needle was rotated after fistula needle placement in 63.4% of the patients; and the arterial and venous needles were on the same vascular line in 15.2% of the patients. Placement of the fistula needle in the antegrade direction increased the Kt/V value 0.164 times (95% confidence interval: 0.002-0.212, p = .047).

CONCLUSION

Antegrade placement could be a factor influencing dialysis adequacy. We suggest antegrade interventions to the fistula to maximize the patient benefit from the haemodialysis treatment.