Comparison of outcomes of arteriovenous grafts and fistulas at a single Veteransʹ Affairs medical center

Background Before 2003, almost all dialysis access procedures performed at the G.V. Montgomery Veteransʹ Affairs Medical Center were arteriovenous grafts. In mid-2003, it was decided to place fistulas in most patients. This study compared the patency rates and frequency of interventions to maintain function between the 2 procedures. Methods Patency rates for 64 grafts and 50 fistulas were computed using Kaplan-Meier life-tables and compared using the Cox-Mantel log- rank test. The frequency of interventions to maintain function was compared using a Poisson model. Results Primary patency of grafts at 1 and 2 years was 39% and 26%, and that of fistulas was 44% and 37%. Secondary patency of grafts at 1 and 2 years was 71% and 63%, and that of fistulas was 75% and 72%. Neither difference reached significance. The difference in interventions also was insignificant. Conclusions Switching from grafts to fistulas did not significantly improve the patency and frequency of interventions.