Lower extremity dialysis access procedures are practical compromises in desperate circumstances

The subject matter of this report becomes increasingly relevant as the number of patients with chronic renal failure increases and their survival —and hence the period of time that dialysis access needs to be provided—also increases. The message provided in this paper is generally negative, as suggested in the title of “Patients with Lower Extremity Access Have Poor Primary Patency and Survival.”1 However, the information presented ne eds to be viewed in the appropriate context. Access procedures in the lower extremities may not be as durable as those in the upper extremities, but it is not as though there is a choice to be made when it comes to creating lower extremity access—it is a compromise procedure in desperate circumsta nces.
Source: Journal of Vascular Surgery - Category: Surgery Authors: Tags: Invited commentary Source Type: research