Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene graft vascular access for hemodialysis in the upper arm

Objective To investigate the application of expanded p01ytetrafluoroethylene(ePTFE)grafts in upper arm to build arteriovenous aCCeSS for hemodialysis. Methods ePTFE graft vascular access was built in the upper arm in 20 uremia patients.Three operation strategies were applied according to the reference,including loop grafts connected axillary artery and axillary vein,straight graft connected axillary artery and elbow basilic vein,and bridge connected elbow brachial artery and axillary vein. Results Twenty operations were successful and after 6-8 weeks the fistula of all cases were used in hemodialysis.The blood flows were 220-300 ml/min without re-circulation found.Conclusion ePTFE graft arteriovenous vascular access in the upper arm could be an alternative for hemodialysis patients who are difficult to build native arteriovenous fistula. Key words: Renal dialysis;  Vascular fistula