Primary Vascular Access for Chronic Hemodialysis: A Comparison of Arteriovenous Fistulae with PTFE Grafts

The purpose of this study was to compare patency rates of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) and polytetrafluoroethylene grafts (PTFE) for hemodialysis and the complications associated with each. All new permanent vascular access procedures for hemodialysis performed at one institution between January 1989 and December 1993 were reviewed with follow-up to December 1995. Patient demographics, secondary operations, complications, and length of stay were compared between the two types of access strategies. Seventy-seven PTFE and 89 AVF were performed in 166 patients. Age, sex, and frequency of diabetes were similar between the two groups. Primary patency rate at 36 months for AVF was 53%, compared with 16% for PTFE (p