4923 ARTERIOVENOUS FISTULAS AS HEMODIALYSIS ACCESS IN A PEDIATRIC POPULATION – IS YOUNGER AGE A REASON TO MAINTAIN CENTRAL VENOUS CATHETER?

Abstract Background and Aims In the pediatric population, transplantation remains the first-line therapy in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). However, it is not always possible, increasing the need for other kidney replacement therapy (KRT) modalities, and hemodialysis (HD) has been growing as a modality choice in recent years. To provide quality HD treatment, efficient vascular access is mandatory, and the arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is advocated as the best long-term access option. However, its creation is technically challenging, and its development and maintenance are some of the most difficult elements in the pediatric population. In this study, we describe our experience in the utilization of AVFs in children and adolescents on HD. Method We conducted a retrospective study including all the AVFs performed in our center on underage patients between January 2006 and December 2022. We reviewed the medical records, collected data on demographic variables, AVF characteristics, blood test results, and clinical outcomes. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. Results Forty-three AVFs were performed in 32 pediatric patients. The median age at first AVF construction was 13.5 years (min 4.8; max 17.9). The most frequent etiology of ESRD was congenital anomalies of kidney and urinary tract (n = 20, 62.5%) and most patients (n = 24, 75.0%) were already receiving KRT. Median follow-up time was 16.4 months (min 1; max 98.4) and, at the end of the follow-up period, most patients (n = 22, 68.8%) were transplanted. The mortality rate was 6.3% (n = 2). In what concerns to the location of the AVF, radiocephalic was the first choice in 46.9% of the cases (n = 15), accounting for 34.9% of the total AVFs. Brachiocephalic location was used in 34.4% (n = 11) of first fistulas and 6 subsequent accesses, accounting for 39.5% of the total AVFs. The brachiobasilic location was chosen in 18.8% (n = 6) of the first AVFs and 25.6% of the total AVFs. Primary AVF failure occurred in 26.6% (n = 11) cases and, in 4 of these (36.4%), it was possible to successfully use the same location for a second AVF. We observed no statistical association between primary AVF failure dysfunction and gender, age at the construction of the first fistula, AVF location, or dialysis vintage. Platelet-lymphocyte (PLR) and neutrophil-lymphocyte (NLR) ratios also did not differ between groups. Primary and secondary patency rates at one year were, respectively, 62.5% and 93.8%. W