Effectiveness of a native vein arteriovenous fistula tracking system.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a tracking program on the functional maturation rate of arteriovenous fistula (AVF).

METHODS

Two major clinical outcomes (commencement of cannulation and functional maturation) of created AVFs were compared between two cohorts. (i) Cohort 1: historical cohort; (ii) Cohort 2: AVFs created after implementation of the tracking project. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to assess the association between cohort allocation and the two major clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

Data of 114 and 141 patients were analyzed respectively from Cohorts 1 (historical data) and 2 (with AVF tracking). After adjustment of covariates in the multivariable analysis, the AVFs created in Cohort 2 were more likely to be cannulated earlier (adjusted HR: 2.82; 95% CI: 1.97-4.05; p < 0.001), compared to those in Cohort 1. Similarly, the AVFs of Cohort 2 patients had significantly higher probability of functional maturation (adjusted HR: 1.81; 95% CI: 1.31-2.48; p < 0.001) than fistulas in Cohort 1. Cannulation was commenced for half of the AVFs by 4.1 months post-creation in the historical cohort (Cohort 1), whereas in the post-tracking cohort, 50% of the AVFs were cannulated by 2.3 months after creation (p < 0.001). It took 5.5 and 4.3 months for 50% of the AVFs created in Cohort 1 and Cohort 2 patients to achieve catheter-free functional maturation, respectively (p = 0.06).

CONCLUSION

An AVF tracking program with maturation target for the access surgeons, together with a standardized tracking, feedback, and clinical strategy adjustment system is able to improve the AVF functional maturation rate.