Hemostasis of arteriovenous fistula: Comparison of direct two-finger pressure to an adjustable device.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the pressure generated by an adjustable hemostasis clamp on arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) during the hemostasis proccess, and compare it with the direct two-finger pressure applied by the patient. To evaluate the variations of the direct two-finger pressure along the hemostasis process.

METHODS

We analyzed data obtained in 51 hemodialysis procedures from 15 patients. AVF intraaccess pressure was used as indirect indicator of the pressure generated by both methods. It was recorded before venous needle removal (PBasal), at clamp application (P1), after clamp adjustement by a nurse (P2), at the beginning of the direct two-finger pressure by the patient (M0), after 3 min of two-finger pressure (M3) and after 6 min of two-finger pressure (M6).

RESULTS

Intra-access pressure was lower with the adjusted clamp (P2) than with the direct two-finger pressure by the patient (M0) (variation of -18.57%, 95%CI -14.09 to -4.77 mmHg, P < 0.001). Intraaccess pressure generated by the direct two-finger pressure method showed a decreasing trend along the hemostasis process (M3-M0: -8.82 mmHg, P < 0.001; M6-M0: -12.55 mmHg, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

An adjustable fistula arm clamp generates a lower pressure in AVF than the direct two-finger pressure applied by the patient. The latter showed a decreasing trend along the hemostasis process. These data suggest that some of the recommendations from clinical guidelines could be based on inaccurate premises.