Use of superficial femoral vein for hemodialysis arteriovenous access

AbstractMaintaining hemodialysis access in the expanding number of patients with end-stage renal disease is a difficult and challenging problem. Published guidelines outline the initial recommendations for hemodialysis access; however, there is little consensus about the most appropriate options for the subset of patients with repeated access failures and/or unsuitable veins. Two case reports are presented describing the use of composite saphenous–superficial femoral vein autogenous accesses placed in the upper and lower extremities. The function of the autogenous accesses appeared to be similar to a mature arteriovenous fistula in the short-term, although further longitudinal studies are required. The superficial femoral vein may be a useful hemodialysis access conduit for patients with limited access options. (J Vasc Surg 2000;31:1038-41.