Use of Plastic Needles for Early Arteriovenous Fistula Cannulation.

Authors :: Letachowicz K
Kusztal M
Gołębiowski T
Letachowicz W
Weyde W
Klinger M
Source :: Blood purification [Blood Purif] 2015; Vol. 40 (2), pp. 155-9.
Publication Year :: 2015
Abstract: Background: The native arteriovenous fistula (AVF) needs maturation before it can be used. Needling done before time may result in haematoma formation, miscannulation or even access loss.<br />Methods: This retrospective study included 20 patients with AVFs punctured with fluoroplastic dialysis catheters within 30 days after access creation and 19 historical controls.<br />Results: The time to first puncture was 2-29 days for the study group and 1-26 days for the control group. The incidences of haematoma were 16.7 and 48 per 1,000 dialysis sessions for plastic and metal needles, respectively. Estimated primary functional fistula survival at 3, 6 and 12 months were 95, 90 and 74% for the study group and 79, 67 and 60% for the control group (p = 0.106), respectively.<br />Conclusions: Use of plastic needles enables safe AVF cannulation. If applied judiciously, it can minimize or even avoid catheter use.