Vascular access for hemodialysis in the elderly

ObjectiveThe number of elderly patients needing hemodialysis is constantly increasing year by year. Elderly patients with end-stage renal failure represent a challenge for the surgeons who create vascular accesses. The aim of this study was to analyze the outcome of conduit creation in the elderly in our institution and to compare it with the outcome of a cohort of patients aged <65 years.MethodsThe study was performed retrospectively on prospectively collected data. The study period was between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2006. We identified first attempts at conduit creations, including arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) and grafts, in elderly patients (aged ≥65 years) who were allocated to group A, and in nonelderly patients (