Haemodialysis vascular access and fistula surveillance methods in The Netherlands

Introduction. As the mean age of haemodialysis patients is increasing, fewer patients will have suitable blood vessels for the creation of a Brescia–Cimino fistula and an increased use of graft implants is to be expected. Methods. To assess the change in vascular access and the use of surveillance techniques, all haemodialysis centres in The Netherlands received a questionnaire regarding the types of vascular accesses and surveillance techniques used in their department on 31 December, 1996. The results were related to a comparable study done in 1987, shown between brackets. Results. The respo... Mehr ...