[Creation of arteriovenous fistulas for chronic hemodialysis in Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital during 2005-2006].

We analyzed case histories of 299 patients with end-stage renal failure, hospitalized in our hospital for the creation of an arteriovenous fistula for chronic hemodialysis. Demographic data, indications for the creation of an arteriovenous fistula, laboratory data, and duration of hospitalization were analyzed. RESULTS. The highest number of arteriovenous fistulas was created in the patients from Kaunas region (48.04%); 23.74% of patients were diabetic. Primary native fistula was created in 61.2% of patients, secondary in 36.46% of cases, and in 2.34% of patients, permanent catheters were inserted. Preoperative Doppler ultrasonography of vessels was performed in 18.73% of patients. The mean duration of hospitalization of all patients was 30.61+/-4.3 days (29.05+/-5.2 days in the Clinic of Nephrology and 35.53+/-5.52 days in the Clinic of Endocrinology). During this period, patients were waiting for operation in an average of 16.78+/-6.4 days and 14.78+/-4.87 days for maturation of fistula.