Health insurance provider and endovascular treatment availability are associated with different hemodialysis vascular access profiles: A Brazilian national survey.

In Brazil, most hemodialysis (HD) patients are treated by the country's public health system. However, accessibility to healthcare is different for public and private patients. This study aimed to identify the profile of vascular access in a Brazilian HD sample. Additionally, it aimed to examine the influence of public and private health insurance, accessibility to endovascular treatments, and timely arteriovenous access creation on the prevalence of tunneled catheters (TCs), non-tunneled catheters (NTCs), and arteriovenous (AV) access. We conducted a cross-sectional electronic survey across 834 centers. Centers were inquired about the number of patients with public and private health insurance, the profiles of vascular access, time for AV access creation, accessibility to TC insertion and endovascular treatments, and the availability of peritoneal dialysis and kidney transplantation. Logistic regression and multilevel logistic regression were performed to evaluate possible interactions between the independent variables. A total of 7,973 patients across 47 HD centers were included in the survey. Public health patients accounted for 77% of the study sample. The overall vascular access profiles of the public and private insurance groups were significantly different (p < 0.001). For patients with public health insurance, the prevalence of any catheter was 25%, while that for private patients was 31.8% (p < 0.001). The prevalence of TCs was more common in private patients (15.3% vs. 23.1%, p < 0.001). AV accesses were more common in public health patients (75% vs. 68.2%, p < 0.001), as were fistulas (72.4% vs. 63.1%, p < 0.001). AV grafts were more prevalent among patients with private insurance (2.6 vs. 5.1%, p < 0.001). The availability of endovascular treatments increased the chance of having a TC by 2.3-fold (OR = 2.33, 95% CI = 1.30-4.18); however, it did not reduce the chance of having any catheter. A high chance of having a catheter was found when the time to AV access creation exceeded 60 days. The differences between public and private patients may be explained by underpayments and the decreased accessibility to care infrastructure in the public system, especially for endovascular treatments. In this sample, public health patients had a decreased risk of having a TC over an NTC. Differences in care accessibility and insurance type might influence the type of vascular access.

Is the Fistula First Approach still valid? / Abordagem Fistula First: ainda válida?

ABSTRACT The Fistula First Breakthrough Initiative, founded in 2003, was responsible for changing the access profile in the United States, increasing the prevalence of arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) by 50% and reducing that of arteriovenous grafts (AVGs). However, the concept that AVFs are always the best access for all patients has been challenged. Discussion points are: (1) the questionable survival benefit of AVFs over AVGs, if one takes into account the high rates of primary AVF failure; (2) the potential benefits of using AVGs for greater primary success; and (3) the questionable benefit of AVFs over AVGs in patients with shorter survival, such as the elderly. The high rate of primary failure and maturation procedures leads to prolonged use of catheters, and it is one of the weaknesses of the fistula first strategy. AVGs proved to be better than AVFs as a second access after the failure of a first AVF, and in patients with non-ideal vessels, with greater primary success and reduced catheter times. AVGs appear to have a similar survival to AVFs in patients older than 80 years, with less primary failures and interventions to promote maturation. The most recent KDOQUI guidelines suggest an individualized approach in access planning, taking into account life expectancy, comorbidities and individual vascular characteristics, with the aim of chosing adequate access for the right patient, at the right time, for the right reasons.

RESUMO A Fistula First Breakthrough Initiative, fundada em 2003, foi responsável pela mudança do perfil dos acessos nos Estados Unidos, aumentando em 50% a prevalência das fístulas arteriovenosas (FAVs) e reduzindo a de enxertos arteriovenosos (EAVs). No entanto, o conceito de que as FAVs são sempre o melhor acesso para todos os pacientes vem sofrendo questionamentos. São pontos de discussão: (1) o questionável benefício de sobrevida das FAVs sobre os EAVs, se levadas em conta as altas taxas de falência primária das FAVs; (2) os potenciais benefícios no uso de EAVs pelo maior sucesso primário; e (3) o benefício questionável das FAVs sobre os EAVs em pacientes com menor sobrevida, como os idosos. A alta taxa de falência primária e de procedimentos para maturação leva ao uso prolongado de cateteres e é um dos pontos fracos da estratégia "Fistula First". Os EAVs mostraram superioridade em relação às FAVs como segundo acesso após a falência de uma primeira FAV e em pacientes com vasos não ideais, com maior sucesso primário e redução dos tempos de cateter. Os EAVs parecem ter sobrevida semelhante à das FAVs nos idosos acima de 80 anos, com menos falências primárias e intervenções para maturação. As diretrizes mais recentes do KDOQUI sugerem uma abordagem individualizada no planejamento dos acessos, levando-se em conta expectativa de vida, comorbidades e características vasculares individuais, com o objetivo de indicar acesso adequado para o paciente adequado, no tempo adequado, pelos motivos adequados.

Is the Fistula First Approach still valid?

The Fistula First Breakthrough Initiative, founded in 2003, was responsible for changing the access profile in the United States, increasing the prevalence of arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) by 50% and reducing that of arteriovenous grafts (AVGs). However, the concept that AVFs are always the best access for all patients has been challenged. Discussion points are: (1) the questionable survival benefit of AVFs over AVGs, if one takes into account the high rates of primary AVF failure; (2) the potential benefits of using AVGs for greater primary success; and (3) the questionable benefit of AVFs over AVGs in patients with shorter survival, such as the elderly. The high rate of primary failure and maturation procedures leads to prolonged use of catheters, and it is one of the weaknesses of the fistula first strategy. AVGs proved to be better than AVFs as a second access after the failure of a first AVF, and in patients with non-ideal vessels, with greater primary success and reduced catheter times. AVGs appear to have a similar survival to AVFs in patients older than 80 years, with less primary failures and interventions to promote maturation. The most recent KDOQUI guidelines suggest an individualized approach in access planning, taking into account life expectancy, comorbidities and individual vascular characteristics, with the aim of chosing adequate access for the right patient, at the right time, for the right reasons.

Good practices recommendations from the Brazilian Society of Nephrology to Peritoneal Dialysis Services related to the new coronavirus (Covid-19) epidemic.

Considering the new coronavirus epidemic (Covid-19), the Brazilian Society of Nephrology, represented by the Peritoneal Steering Committee, in agreement with the and the Dialysis Department, developed a series of recommendations for good clinical practices for peritoneal dialysis (PD) clinics, to be considered during the period of the Covid-19 epidemic. We aim to minimize the disease spread, protecting patients and staff, and ensuring the quality of the treatment provided and adequate follow-up for PD patients. The recommendations suggested at this moment must be adapted to each clinic's reality and the conditions of the structural and human resources, dependent on the adequate financial provision of the public health system for its full implementation.

Hemodialysis Vascular access maintenance in the Covid-19 pandemic: Positioning paper from the Interventional Nephrology Committee of the Brazilian Society of Nephrology.

Vascular accesses for hemodialysis are considered the patient's lifeline and their maintenance is essential for treatment continuity. Following the example of institutions in other countries affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Brazilian Society of Nephrology developed these guidelines for healthcare services, elaborating on the importance of carrying out procedures for the preparation and preservation of vascular accesses. Creating definitive accesses for hemodialysis, grafts and arteriovenous fistulas are non-elective procedures, as well as the transition from the use of non-tunneled catheters to tunneled catheters, which cause less morbidity. In the case of patients with suspected or confirmed coronavirus infection, one may postpone the procedures for the quarantine period, to avoid spreading the disease.

Hemodialysis Vascular access maintenance in the Covid-19 pandemic: Positioning paper from the Interventional Nephrology Committee of the Brazilian Society of Nephrology / Manutenção de acessos vasculares para hemodiálise na pandemia da Covid-19: posicionamento do Comitê de Nefrologia Intervencionista da Sociedade Brasileira de Nefrologia

ABSTRACT Vascular accesses for hemodialysis are considered the patient's lifeline and their maintenance is essential for treatment continuity. Following the example of institutions in other countries affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Brazilian Society of Nephrology developed these guidelines for healthcare services, elaborating on the importance of carrying out procedures for the preparation and preservation of vascular accesses. Creating definitive accesses for hemodialysis, grafts and arteriovenous fistulas are non-elective procedures, as well as the transition from the use of non-tunneled catheters to tunneled catheters, which cause less morbidity. In the case of patients with suspected or confirmed coronavirus infection, one may postpone the procedures for the quarantine period, to avoid spreading the disease.

RESUMO Os acessos vasculares para hemodiálise são considerados a linha da vida do paciente, e sua manutenção é essencial para o seguimento do tratamento. A exemplo de instituições de outros países atingidos pela pandemia da Covid-19, a Sociedade Brasileira de Nefrologia elaborou estas orientações para os serviços de saúde, esclarecendo a importância da realização dos procedimentos de confecção e preservação de acessos vasculares. Consideramos como não eletivos os procedimentos de confecção de acessos definitivos para hemodiálise, próteses e fístulas arteriovenosas, bem como a transição do uso de cateteres não tunelizados para cateteres tunelizados, os quais acarretam menor morbidade. Nos casos de pacientes com infecção suspeita ou confirmada por coronavírus, é aceitável o adiamento dos procedimentos pelo período de quarentena, para evitar disseminação da doença.

Good practices recommendations from the Brazilian Society of Nephrology to Peritoneal Dialysis Services related to the new coronavirus (Covid-19) epidemic / Recomendações de boas práticas da Sociedade Brasileira de Nefrologia aos Serviços de diálise peritoneal em relação à epidemia do novo coronavírus (Covid-19)

ABSTRACT Considering the new coronavirus epidemic (Covid-19), the Brazilian Society of Nephrology, represented by the Peritoneal Steering Committee, in agreement with the and the Dialysis Department, developed a series of recommendations for good clinical practices for peritoneal dialysis (PD) clinics, to be considered during the period of the Covid-19 epidemic. We aim to minimize the disease spread, protecting patients and staff, and ensuring the quality of the treatment provided and adequate follow-up for PD patients. The recommendations suggested at this moment must be adapted to each clinic's reality and the conditions of the structural and human resources, dependent on the adequate financial provision of the public health system for its full implementation.

RESUMO Considerando a nova epidemia de coronavírus (Covid-19), a Sociedade Brasileira de Nefrologia, representada pelo Comitê de Diálise Peritoneal, em concordância com a diretoria e o Departamento de Diálise, desenvolveu uma série de recomendações de boas práticas clínicas para os serviços de diálise peritoneal a serem consideradas durante o período da epidemia de Covid-19, com o objetivo de minimizar a disseminação da doença, proteger pacientes e funcionários e garantir a qualidade do tratamento prestado e acompanhamento adequado para os pacientes em DP. As recomendações aqui sugeridas devem ser adaptadas a cada realidade de serviço e às condições estruturais e de recursos humanos e dependem da provisão financeira adequada do sistema público de saúde para sua plena implementação.

Salvage of thrombosed arteriovenous fistulae of patients on hemodialysis: report on the experience of a Brazilian center / Manejo da trombose aguda de fístulas arteriovenosas de pacientes em hemodiálise: relato de experiência em um centro brasileiro

ABSTRACT Introduction: Hemodialysis vascular access thrombosis is an acute event that can interrupt the dialytic treatment. A timely management can restore access patency, avoiding the use of central venous catheters and their complications. Objective: To present the experience from a Brazilian Interventional Nephrology Center (INC) in the salvage of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) and grafts for hemodialysis. Methods: A retrospective study was performed to evaluate the primary and secondary patencies of 41 hemodialysis accesses with thrombosis confirmed by ultrasound and submitted to endovascular salvage procedures. We considered clinical success the use of the access for at least 3 subsequent hemodialysis sessions. The procedures were done in an outpatient center by interventional nephrologists. Patients were followed for up to 18 months with Doppler every 3 months. Results: Forty-five salvage procedures were performed in 41 accesses of 40 hemodialysis patients with native AVF or grafts. Of these, 90% were AVF, mostly upper arm, and 10% were grafts. Clinical success rate was 60% (27 procedures). Primary patency at 12 months was 39% and secondary was 52%. Gender of the patient, diabetes, and location of the access did not correlate statistically with outcomes. There were 3 major complications (anastomosis rupture, grade 3 hematoma, and anaphylactic shock). Conclusion: The majority of thrombosed accesses can be successfully treated, maintaining its long-term patency. The need of repeated intervention is frequent.

RESUMO Introdução: A trombose dos acessos vasculares para hemodiálise é um evento agudo que interrompe o tratamento dialítico. O manejo em tempo hábil pode restaurar a patência do acesso, evitando o uso de cateteres centrais e suas complicações. Objetivo: Apresentar a experiência brasileira de um centro de nefrologia intervencionista no salvamento de fístulas arteriovenosas (FAV) e próteses para hemodiálise. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo, avaliando as patências primária e secundária de 41 acessos para hemodiálise com trombose confirmada por ultrassonografia e submetidos a salvamento por via endovascular. Consideramos sucesso clínico o uso do acesso por no mínimo 3 sessões de hemodiálise. Os procedimentos foram realizados em regime ambulatorial por nefrologistas intervencionistas. Os pacientes foram acompanhados por até 18 meses com Doppler trimestral. Resultados: Foram realizados 45 procedimentos de salvamento em 41 acessos de 40 pacientes em hemodiálise por FAV ou prótese. 90% dos acessos abordados foram FAV, sendo a maioria proximais, e 10%, próteses. A taxa de sucesso clínico foi de 60% (27 procedimentos). A patência primária em 12 meses foi de 39% e a secundária, de 52%. O gênero, presença de diabetes e localização do acesso não se correlacionaram significativamente com os desfechos avaliados. Ocorreram 3 complicações maiores (rotura de anastomose, hematoma grau III e choque anafilático). Conclusões: A maioria dos acessos com trombose pode ser tratada, mantendo sua patência em longo prazo. É frequente a necessidade de intervenções repetidas.

Salvage of thrombosed arteriovenous fistulae of patients on hemodialysis: report on the experience of a Brazilian center.

INTRODUCTION: Hemodialysis vascular access thrombosis is an acute event that can interrupt the dialytic treatment. A timely management can restore access patency, avoiding the use of central venous catheters and their complications. OBJECTIVE: To present the experience from a Brazilian Interventional Nephrology Center (INC) in the salvage of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) and grafts for hemodialysis. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed to evaluate the primary and secondary patencies of 41 hemodialysis accesses with thrombosis confirmed by ultrasound and submitted to endovascular salvage procedures. We considered clinical success the use of the access for at least 3 subsequent hemodialysis sessions. The procedures were done in an outpatient center by interventional nephrologists. Patients were followed for up to 18 months with Doppler every 3 months. RESULTS: Forty-five salvage procedures were performed in 41 accesses of 40 hemodialysis patients with native AVF or grafts. Of these, 90% were AVF, mostly upper arm, and 10% were grafts. Clinical success rate was 60% (27 procedures). Primary patency at 12 months was 39% and secondary was 52%. Gender of the patient, diabetes, and location of the access did not correlate statistically with outcomes. There were 3 major complications (anastomosis rupture, grade 3 hematoma, and anaphylactic shock). CONCLUSION: The majority of thrombosed accesses can be successfully treated, maintaining its long-term patency. The need of repeated intervention is frequent.