Branchiogenic cyst ‒ a rare finding in vascular surgery.

Branchiogenic cysts are benign lesions caused by anomalous development of the branchial cleft. They are typically detected in individuals aged between their twenties and forties. Ultrasonography is the first-line imaging method of choice. Surgical excision is the sole treatment modality (Tab. 1, Fig. 6, Ref. 25). Keywords: branchiogenic cyst, extirpation, ultrasonography, computed tomography.

Vascular access as a survival factor for the hemodialysis population: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The creation of vascular access is an essential condition for providing hemodialysis, which remains the only option for most patients suffering from end-stage renal disease. Selection of the type of vascular access affects patients' clinical outcomes, access maintenance frequency, risk of infection and major adverse cardiac events during dialysis. To improve the decision-making process, we performed a retrospective clinical data analysis of dialyzed patients and critically compared the survival rates between two types of vascular access applied during dialysis therapy during a 5 years follow-up period. METHODS: Using nationally representative data from 18 dialysis centers across Slovakia, we explore and compare survival rates of 960 adult patients undergoing hemodialysis using either a central venous catheter (CVC) or an arteriovenous fistula (AVF). Length of dialysis, protein malnutrition and comorbidities were examined as possible covariates that might influence survival rates. RESULTS: Chances of surviving for a one-year period were higher by 52% in AVF patients compared to CVC patients (HR 1.52; 95% CI 1.27-1.83; P<0.001) regardless of age, sex, nutritional status, time spent on dialysis and comorbidities. The presence of cardiac congestion (HR 1.26 [95% CI 1.06-1.50], P<0.01) and malnutrition (protein malnutrition: HR 0.98 [95% CI 0.96-1.00], P<0.05; lean tissue index: HR 0.79 [95% CI 0.67-0.93], P<0.01) decreases chances for survival. CONCLUSIONS: A functional arteriovenous fistula is a significant predictor of survival in the population dependent on hemodialysis, independently of sociodemographic parameters and serious comorbidities. Therefore, if various types of vascular accesses are applicable for the patient, AVF should be prioritized over CVC.

Does Health Literacy of Hemodialyzed Patients Predict the Type of Their Vascular Access? A Cross-Sectional Study on Slovak Hemodialyzed Population.

Effective vascular access (VA) is an essential condition for providing hemodialysis, affecting patients' health outcomes. We aim to explore how health literacy (HL) as a non-clinical factor is associated with the decision-making process regarding VA type selection. Using data from 20 dialysis centers across Slovakia (n = 542, mean age = 63.6, males = 60.7%), the association of HL with type of VA (arteriovenous fistula (AVF) vs. central venous catheter (CVC)) was analyzed using a logistic regression model adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics and comorbidity. Sociodemographic data and data on nine domains of HL were collected by questionnaire. Data on VA and comorbidity were obtained from a medical records. Patients with a greater ability to engage with healthcare providers (odds ratio (OR): 1.34; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00-1.78), those with a better ability to navigate the healthcare system (OR: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.08-1.85), those more able to find good health information (OR: 1.52; 95% CI: 1.15-2.03), and those who understand it well enough to know what to do (OR: 1.52; 95% CI: 1.12-2.06) are more likely to have AVF. Patients' HL is associated with the type of VA; therefore, it should be considered in the decision-making process regarding the selection of the type of VA, thereby informing strategies for improving patients' HL and doctor-patient communication.