Background & Aims: This study was done in hem dialysis patients who referred to Imam Khomeini hospital of Urmia for insertion of arterial -venous fistula with Gore-tex, in whom there was not possibility of natural fistula. Objectives were assessment and comparison of complications and patency of arterial-venous fistulas was done with 6 and 8 mm Gore-tex graft in the upper limb and comparison of them with the 8 mm Gore-tex graft in lower extremities in a year after the operation.

Materials & Methods: A follow-up study was done on 65 hemodialysis patients referred to the Imam Khomeini hospital of Urmia for insertion of arterial-venous fistulas with Gore-tex. Considering that the patient's situation and the best move for them would determine the appropriate size and position of graft, there was not possibility of making randomized groups for study. So in 32 (49/2%) cases 6 mm Gore-tex and 33 (50/8%) cases 8 mm Gore-tex was used. Anterior-venous fistulas with Gore-tex in the upper limb of 48 (73/8%) cases and in the lower limb of 17 (26/2%) were inserted. After collecting all information, data analysis was done using SPSS software. In order to analyze data and graphs survival distribution with Kaplan-Miere method was used and to assess the significant differences in the distribution of graft patency between the size of grafts and position of insertion depending on data distribution and status in a group Cox regression and Log rank tests were used.

Results: According to the results of this study no significant differences in the one year patency and complications between graft size and or location of insertion were seen.

Conclusion:  The graft can be inserted based on clinical situation and the vascular status of patients. Although this point should be noted that our study sample size and duration of follow-up is low and these recommendations should be used with caution.

SOURCE: URMIA MED J 2012: 23(1): 101 ISSN: 1027-3727