[New arteriovenous fistula for extracorporal hemodialysis using a cattle-artery heterologous graft].

17 patients are reported in whom an arterio-venous shunt has been established by means of an arterial graft (bovine origin). The indications were: need of maintenance hemodialysis under absence of functioning shunt and lack of peripheral vessels suitable for construction of a Cimino fistula. 14 shunts developed function without any complication. In 2 patients thrombosis of the graft occured. Both of them could be re-established in function by thrombectomy. 2 cases necessitated removal of the transplant. The question as to an immunological rejection remains open up to now. The advantages of the new shunt are: immediate readiness for hemodialysis, sufficiently long distance for puncture, easy and painless punctures and the possibility of access to deeper vessels.