Analysis of Follow ‐Up Methods of Vascular Access and Patient Outcomes in Hemodialysis at a Tertiary Care Hospital in China

Abstract Arteriovenous fistula is the preferred option for vascular access in hemodialysis patients. The aim of this study was to assess different follow‐up methods for hemodialysis patients in our hemodialysis center in China. A cohort of 124 patients with stage 3 chronic kidney disease was recruited and double‐blind randomly assigned into two groups. Patients in Group A received phone calls to schedule their next consultation a week in advance. Patients in Group B scheduled their next appointment at the end of each visit. A total of 116 patients were included in the study and eight dropped out. Twenty‐seven patients (46.4%) in Group A and 13 patients (22.4%) in Group B had an AVF prior to hemodialysis (P = 0.006), and 44.8% of patients in Group A and 15.5% of patients in Group B were using AVFs at the initiation of dialysis (P = 0.003). Sixteen patients (27.6%) in Group A and 24 patients (41.3%) in Group B required central venous catheters due to acute on chronic kidney disease and 13 patients (22.4%) in Group A and 21 patients (36.2%) in Group B required central venous catheters due to patient‐related delays (P = 0.02). At the end of the study, seven patients in Group A died and 17 patients in Group B died (P = 0.027). The patients who received phone calls to schedule appointments in advance had a higher rate of arteriovenous fistulas prior to dialysis and at hemodialysis initiation had a reduced incidence of acute on chronic kidney disease and pati...
Source: Therapeutic Apheresis and Dialysis - Category: Hematology Authors: Tags: Original Article Source Type: research