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Arteriovenous Fistulas (AVFs) Are The Gold Standard For Vascular Access
An AVF is the
surgical connection
of an artery
to a
vein, usually in the forearm or arm, created
in
patients requiring
maintenance hemodialysis.
AVFs should be
considered first for every patient
needing hemodialysis. AVFs last longer, need
less rework or
repairs,
and are
associated with lower
rates of infection,
hospitalization and
death.
The National Kidney
Foundation / Kidney
Disease Outcomes
Quality Initiative
(KDOQI) national
practice guidelines, updated in July 2006,
recommend greater than 65%
of hemodialysis
patients
have a
functioning AVF.
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The Society for Vascular Surgery:
Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Surgical Placement and Maintenance of
Arteriovenous Hemodialysis Access
The guidelines are available at the following:
-
Journal of Vascular Surgery
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PubMed
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