Implementation of an Evidence-Based Practice Change Removing Heparin From Implanted Vascular Access Devices.

The objective of this article was to describe the implementation and outcomes of an evidence-based practice change to remove heparin from implanted vascular access device (IVAD) management. An extensive search of the literature was performed, and articles were appraised and synthesized to determine the best practice. A common theme emerged from the literature, showing that 0.9% sodium chloride alone can be as effective as heparin in preventing occlusion in IVADs. In this nurse-led initiative, heparin was successfully removed from the IVAD deaccess process and replaced with a 0.9% sodium chloride flush using a pulsatile flushing technique. Alteplase administration rates were used to measure success of the project, with no statistically significant change observed in alteplase rates 6 mo postimplementation. Successful implementation of this practice change demonstrates that 0.9% sodium chloride may be used for IVAD lock when deaccessing.

Trends in interventional stroke device utilization during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVES: The collateral effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on interventional stroke care is not well described. We studied this effect by utilizing stroke device sales data as markers of interventional stroke case volume in the United States. METHODS: Using a real-time healthcare device sales registry, this observational study examined trends in the sales of thrombectomy devices and cerebral aneurysm coiling from the same 945 reporting hospitals in the U.S. between January 22 and June 31, 2020, and for the same months in 2018 and 2019 to allow for comparison. We simultaneously reviewed daily reports of new COVID-19 cases. The strength of association between the cumulative incidence of COVID-19 and procedural device sales was measured using Spearman rank correlation coefficient (CC). RESULTS: Device sales decreased for thrombectomy (- 3.7%) and cerebral aneurysm coiling (- 8.5%) when comparing 2019-2020. In 2020, thrombectomy device sales were negatively associated with the cumulative incidence of COVID-19 (CC - 0.56, p < 0.0001), with stronger negative correlation during April (CC - 0.97, p < 0.0001). The same negative correlation was observed with aneurysm treatment devices (CC - 0.60, p < 0.001), with stronger correlation in April (CC - 0.97, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The decline in sales of stroke interventional equipment underscores a decline in associated case volumes. Future pandemic responses should consider strategies to mitigate such negative collateral effects.

Dialysis access as a source of infective endocarditis in dialysis patients.

The incidence of Infective Endocarditis (IE) is higher in dialysis patients compared to the general population. A major risk factor for IE in this group stems from bacterial invasion during repeated vascular access. Previous studies have shown increased risk of bacteremia in patients with indwelling dialysis catheters compared to permanent vascular access. However, association between the development of IE and the type of dialysis access is unclear. We aimed to examine the associated types of intravascular access and route of infection in dialysis patients who were admitted with infective endocarditis at our center. All patients admitted to Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia with a diagnosis of infective endocarditis who were on chronic hemodialysis were identified from the hospital database for the period of 1/1/07 to 12/31/18. Modified Duke criteria was used to confirm the diagnosis of infective endocarditis. A total of 96 cases were identified. Of those, 57 patients had an indwelling dialysis catheter while the other 39 had permanent dialysis access. In 82% of patients with dialysis catheters, their dialysis access site was identified as the primary source of infection compared to 30% in those with permanent dialysis access (p<0.001). The number of dialysis catheters placed in the preceding 6 months was strongly associated with endocarditis resulting from the dialysis access site (OR = 3.202, p=0.025). Dialysis catheters are more likely to serve as the source of infection in dialysis patients developing IE compared to permanent dialysis access. Increased awareness of risk of IE associated with dialysis catheters is warranted.

Recent Advances in Arteriovenous Access Creation for Hemodialysis: New Horizons in Dialysis Vascular Access.

Recent advances in technology show promise in providing greater vascular access options for hemodialysis patients. This review discusses novel methods for creating an anastomosis for arteriovenous (AV) fistulas and new materials for prosthetic AV grafts. Two technologies for endovascular arteriovenous fistula creation, the Ellipsys and WavelinQ endovascular systems, are discussed. When an AV fistula is not possible, an AV graft or devices to augment the AV fistula may be appropriate. New materials that have been developed that show promise as an alternative to the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene graft are discussed. Such potential conduits include bioengineered vessels and both allogenic or xenogenic biologic grafts. Devices designed to optimize blood flow to reduce maturation failure and improve AV fistula outcomes are explored.

Dialysis Access: At the Intersection of Policy, Innovation, and Clinical Care.

The Advancing American Kidney Health executive order aims to reduce the incidence of end-stage kidney disease, promote home dialysis therapies, increase the number of kidney transplants, and encourage innovation in new technologies, evidence-based practice, and early detection of kidney disease. Improvements in dialysis access care are essential to the success and expansion of this program, and to being able to provide high-quality, cost-efficient care to this patient population. Specifically, the need for expanded access to home dialysis will require surgeons and interventionalists to become proficient and trained in peritoneal dialysis catheter placement and for the referral process to be streamlined to accommodate the increased interest in this modality. In addition, new technologies, namely percutaneous fistula creation, bioengineered vessels, and a variety of interventions to reduce arteriovenous stenosis, will hopefully allow for timely and durable vascular access options that will support implementation of the executive order.

Challenges of Vascular Access in the Pediatric Population.

The incidence and prevalence of renal replacement therapy has continued to increase in the pediatric population. Recent data have shown that hemodialysis was the most frequently used dialysis modality, especially in pediatric ESRD patients (age 0-21 years). A well-functioning vascular access is required for effective hemodialysis and choosing the best vascular access option for pediatric patients can be difficult. Pediatric vascular options include arteriovenous fistula, arteriovenous graft, and central venous catheters (CVCs). There is a national initiative for fistula first-catheter last approach; however, CVCs have been reported as the most conventionally utilized vascular access option in pediatric patients. The use of CVCs should be minimized or avoided as they are associated with high risk of infections, thrombosis, and other complications. Thus, it is important for practitioners to plan appropriately in advance, practice good clinical judgment, and assure that the best vascular access is placed according to the patient's needs. Therefore, this article reviews the different types of pediatric vascular access and the associated benefits and potential complications of each.

New Innovations and Devices in the Management of Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia.

As the number of patients afflicted by chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) continues to grow, new solutions are necessary to provide effective, durable treatment options that will lead to improved outcomes. The diagnosis of CLTI remains mostly clinical, and endovascular revascularization remains mostly balloon-based. Multiple innovative techniques and technologies are in development or in early usage that may provide new solutions. This review categorizes areas of advancement, highlights recent developments in the management of CLTI and looks forward to novel devices that are currently under investigation.

Cuidados de enfermagem a clientes com fistula arteriovenosa: uma revisão integrativa da literatura / Nursing care to clients with arteriovenous fistula: an integrative review of the literature / Atención de enfermería a clientes con fístula arteriovenosa: una revisión integrativa de la literatura

Objetivo: descrever os cuidados da equipe de enfermagem aos clientes portadores de Fistula Arteriovenosa (FAV). Método: revisão integrativa de literatura, que utilizou como questão de busca: quais são os cuidados da equipe de enfermagem aos clientes portadores de fístula arteriovenosa? A busca foi realizada na Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde, nas bases de dados: MEDLINE, LILACS e BDENF; PubMed; Portal de Periódicos da Capes, nas bases SCOPUS e CINAHL, em agosto de 2018. Resultados: foram encontrados três artigos indexados na LILACS e dois na CINAHL. Emergiu a categoria analítica do estudo intitulada: Cuidados de enfermagem aos clientes portadores de FAV, e duas unidades de decodificação: "Incorporação de evidências sobre a FAV, para se pensar os cuidados de enfermagem" e "Atuação da equipe de enfermagem na preservação da FAV: pensando o autocuidado". Conclusões: os cuidados de enfermagem aos clientes portadores de FAV perpassaram pela durabilidade e a manutenção do seu funcionamento

Objective: to describe the care of nursing staff to customers bearers of Arteriovenous Fistula (AVF). Method: integrative Review of literature, which used as search question: what are the care of nursing staff to customers bearers of arteriovenous fistula? The search was conducted in the health Virtual Library, in the databases BDENF, LILACS and MEDLINE; PubMed; Capes Journal Portal, CINAHL, SCOPUS and bases in August 2018. Results: were found three articles indexed at LILACS and two in CINAHL. Analytical category emerged the study entitled: nursing care to clients suffering from AVF, and two units of decoding: "incorporation of evidence about the FAV, to think about nursing care" and "performance of nursing staff in preservation of FAV: thinking self-care". Conclusions: the nursing care to clients suffering from perpassaram FAV durability and maintenance of your operation

Objetivo: para describir el cuidado de enfermería personal para portadores de clientes de la fístula arteriovenosa (AVF). Método: integral revisión de la literatura, que utiliza como pregunta de la búsqueda: ¿Cuáles son los cuidados de enfermería personal para portadores de fístula arteriovenosa de los clientes? La búsqueda se realizó en la Biblioteca Virtual, de la salud en las bases de datos, BDENF, LILACS y MEDLINE; PubMed; CAPES Portal diario, CINAHL, SCOPUS y en agosto de 2018. Resultados: se encontraron tres artículos indizados en LILACS y dos en CINAHL. Categoría analítica surgió el estudio titulado: atención a clientes de AVF y dos unidades de decodificación de enfermería: "incorporación de la evidencia acerca de la FAV, a pensar en cuidados de enfermería" y "rendimiento del personal de enfermería preservación de la FAV: autocuidado de pensamiento" . Conclusiones: la atención de enfermería a clientes que sufren de perpassaram FAV durabilidad y mantenimiento de su operación

Heparin vs. Normal Saline Locking for Prevention of Catheter Occlusion.

Editor's note: This is a summary of a nursing care-related systematic review from the Cochrane Library. For more information, see http://nursingcare.cochrane.org.

Care and management of children with a totally implanted central venous access device: portacath.

Research and advances in technology have enabled children and young people with life-limiting conditions to live longer. To maintain their well-being and quality of life many of these children usually require some form of intravenous access for treatment. Children's nurses should have the skills and training to ensure they are competent to practise using totally implanted central venous access devices such as portacaths (ports). This article addresses the care and management of these ports in children and the wide variation in practice that exists in the UK, and makes recommendations for practice.

Vascular access for hemodialysis: A perpetual challenge.

Vascular access for hemodialysis has a long and rich history. This article highlights major innovations and milestones in the history of angioaccess for hemodialysis. Advances in achievement of lasting hemodialysis access, swift access transition, immediate and sustaining access to vascular space built the momentum at different turning points of access history and shaped the current practice of vascular access strategy. In the present era, absent of large-scale clinical trials to validate practice, the ever-changing demographic and comorbidity makeup of the dialysis population pushes against stereotypical angioaccess goals. The future of hemodialysis vascular access would benefit from proper randomized clinical trials and acclimatization to clinical contexts.

Variables associated with successful vascular access cannulation in hemodialysis patients: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Successful vascular access (VA) cannulation is integral to the delivery of adequate dialysis, highlighting the importance of ensuring the viability of arteriovenous access in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Missed VA cannulation can lead to infection, infiltration, hematoma or aneurysm formation resulting in the need for access revision, central venous catheter (CVC) placement, or permanent loss of VA. Cannulation-related complications can also negatively impact on a patient's dialysis experience and quality of life. This study aimed to identify patient, VA and nurse factors associated with unsuccessful VA cannulations. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted in HD patients with a permanent VA from three HD units. Data on patient, VA and nurse characteristics, plus, cannulation technique were collected for each episode of cannulation. General Estimating Equation was used to fit a repeated measures logistic regression to determine the odds of cannulation success. RESULTS: We collected data on 1946 episodes of cannulation (83.9% fistula) in 149 patients by 63 nurses. Cannulation included use of tourniquet (62.9%), ultrasound (4.1%) and was by rope ladder (73.8%) or area (24.7%) technique. The miscannulation rate was 4.4% (n = 85) with a third of patients (n = 47) having at least one episode of miscannulation. Extravasation (n = 17, 0.9%) and use of an existing CVC (n = 6, 0.6%) were rare. Multivariable characteristics of successful cannulation included fistula compared with graft [OR 4.38; 95%CI, 1.89-10.1]; older access [OR 1.68; 95%CI, 1.32-2.14]; absence of stent [OR 3.37; 95%CI, 1.39-8.19]; no ultrasound [OR 13.7; 95%CI, 6.52-28.6]; no tourniquet [OR 2.32; 95%CI, 1.15-4.66]; and lack of post graduate certificate in renal nursing [OR 2.27; 95%CI, 1.31-3.93]. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated a low rate of miscannulation. Further research is required on ultrasound-guided cannulation. Identifying variables associated with successful cannulation may be used to develop a VA cannulation complexity instrument that could be utilised to match to the cannulation skill of a competency-assessed nurse, thereby minimising the risk of missed cannulation and trauma.

Peripherally inserted central catheter ports: A vascular access specialist's systematic approach.

Implanted ports are an important vascular access device for patients with malignancies requiring long-term chemotherapy. Peripherally placed ports are increasing in use as they are a safe, cost-effective alternative to chest-placed ports. Most peripheral ports can be placed bedside by specialist nurses in designated clinical areas rather than costly operating rooms or interventional radiology suites. Peripheral ports are considered less invasive compared with chest port placement because of reduced procedural risk. To enhance the success rate of peripheral port placement and minimize risks, we provide vascular access specialists with a systematic approach along with some technical advice tips and tricks to help avoid mechanical complications such as repeated puncture of the vein, excessive bleeding, thrombosis or skin dehiscence, as well as latent complications such as catheter migration and catheter-related blood stream infection.

Current Topics in Vascular Access: Superficialization of Arteriovenous Fistula.

BACKGROUND: An arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is considered the gold standard modality of vascular access (VA) for maintenance hemodialysis (HD) because of its superior patency, few complications, provision of high quality of life, and low risk of patient mortality. The rapid growth of the aging population and the high prevalence of comorbidities, particularly diabetes mellitus and peripheral vascular disease, in patients requiring HD inevitably deteriorate the ability to construct and maintain a conventional AVF because of these patients' insufficient vascular adaptability. Furthermore, a substantial proportion of patients undergoing HD encounter non-maturation AVF failure and mis-cannulation-related complications, resulting in the need for a temporary VA procedure. Superficialization of the AVF is an alternative form of VA that facilitates the construction of an autologous fistula by maximizing the availability of a deeply located vein. Superficialization is also utilized in VA revision to improve the cannulability of an arterialized vein. SUMMARY: Superficialization involves various approaches, including tunnel transposition, elevation, lipectomy, and liposuction. Tunnel transposition and elevation are prerequisites for construction of an alternative autologous AVF, especially a one- or two-stage transposed brachial-basilic AVF, which is widely recognized as preferential to an arteriovenous graft in patients who cannot undergo conventional AVF installation. Elevation, lipectomy, and liposuction are also employed as revisional interventions for approximating the depth of the arterialized vein and ensuring a sufficient cannulable segment in the forearm and upper arm area. More recently, modified minimally invasive techniques for each superficialization procedure have been introduced to avoid postoperative complications. Amid the growing methodological diversity of superficialization, increasingly more studies have been performed in an attempt to clarify its feasibility and outcomes. On the whole, most superficialization procedures have acceptable patency and safety profiles. However, the preferable superficialization approach varies in accordance with both the influence of the anatomic location and the inherent advantages and limitations of each procedure. Key Messages: Both careful assessment of a patient's vascular adaptability and adequate comprehension of the various superficialization modalities that are available will enable optimal establishment of an autologous AVF in individual patients. This could lead to better outcomes and more successful management of HD.

Ultrasound-guided vascular access in critical illness.

Over the past two decades, ultrasound (US) has become widely accepted to guide safe and accurate insertion of vascular devices in critically ill patients. We emphasize central venous catheter insertion, given its broad application in critically ill patients, but also review the use of US for accessing peripheral veins, arteries, the medullary canal, and vessels for institution of extracorporeal life support. To ensure procedural safety and high cannulation success rates we recommend using a systematic protocolized approach for US-guided vascular access in elective clinical situations. A standardized approach minimizes variability in clinical practice, provides a framework for education and training, facilitates implementation, and enables quality analysis. This review will address the state of US-guided vascular access, including current practice and future directions.

Building a Global, Pediatric Vascular Access Registry: A Scoping Review of Trial Outcomes and Quality Indicators to Inform Evidence-Based Practice.

BACKGROUND: Internationally, there is a lack of comparative vascular access (VA) data for pediatric clinicians and organizations to benchmark outcomes, evaluate quality initiatives, and improve practice. A VA registry is needed to address these knowledge and data capture gaps. OBJECTIVES: To determine the range and heterogeneity of VA outcome measures or quality indicators reported in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and clinical registries, to inform development of a homogeneous, reliable, minimum dataset for a pediatric VA registry. METHODS: Scoping review framework. A systematic search for RCTs reporting VA outcomes in pediatrics and neonates was undertaken in the Cochrane library, EMBASE, CINAHL, PubMed, MEDLINE, and EBSCO using a medical subject headings and key words related to VA and pediatrics. We included RCTs of children (0-18 years) reporting any VA outcome. We identified clinical registries reporting VA data in children (0-18) through web-based searches using key words related to VA and clinical or quality registries. Additional registries were identified through peer consultation. The frequency and scope of outcome measures and quality indicators were extracted from trials and registries and evaluated. RESULTS: From 93 RCTs included, 214 different VA measures were reported, reflecting 14 outcome domains. The most commonly reported outcome domains were insertion (44 RCTs; 47%), noninfectious complications (33 RCTs; 35%), and infectious complications (30 RCTs; 32%). Of the 22 registries identified, VA-associated infection was the main quality indicator routinely collected (12 registries; 55%). Outcomes such as mechanical complications and patient-reported outcomes were infrequently collected. LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION: Vascular access outcomes reported in pediatric and neonatal RCTs are highly heterogeneous. Internationally, clinical registries currently collect minimal VA data with the exception of infection outcomes. A core dataset of reliable, relevant measures to children and clinicians for VA device quality is needed. This will enable a VA registry that facilitates inter-institutional and international benchmarking.

Improving Vascular Access Outcomes and Enhancing Practice.

With most hospitalized patients requiring peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs), PIVC-related process improvement may substantially affect the health, safety, and satisfaction of patients and health care workers, in addition to reducing costs. This study examined PIVC practice-related metrics before and after a comprehensive process improvement program, which included a change to closed catheter technology. Data were obtained from observations, clinician interviews, and patient records. Metrics included assessment of risk, especially blood exposure and contamination; measurement of insertion efficiency; and quantification of PIVC failure. A significant improvement in most metrics was achieved after the process improvement program.