Do Patients on Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis Need Arterio-Venous Fistula?

Abstract

The authors studied 43 patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) for 5.8 years. The patients were divided into two groups. Group A consisted of 19 patients with an arteriovenous fistula. In only four of these was it necessary to use the fistula during 269 treatment months. Group B consisted of 24 patients without fistulas. Four of these needed dialysis via a subclavianvein catheter during interruption of CAPD, and one via a jugular-vein access side. The patients in group B were observed for 455 treatment months. Permanent vascular access should be constructed only in CAPD patients with repeated treatment failure. A subclavian catheter should be used whenever the patient needs temporary hemodialysis.