Comparison between bovine carotid artery graft and polytetrafluoroethylene graft for haemodialysis vascular access: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: There is a renewed interest in using bovine carotid artery grafts for haemodialysis vascular access after recent advances in conduit manufacturing and endovascular management of access-related complications. Our aim was to summarize the results of the recent studies comparing bovine carotid artery grafts with polytetrafluoroethylene grafts as vascular access for haemodialysis. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted for original articles comparing bovine carotid artery with polytetrafluoroethylene grafts for haemodialysis vascular access published between January 2000 and December 2019 searching the databases of Medline, Scopus, Google Scholar, ClinicalTrials.gov and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. RESULTS: Four studies were included (one prospective randomized controlled trial and three retrospective studies) with 676 patients in total (bovine carotid artery: 395, polytetrafluoroethylene: 281). There was lower graft infection rate per patient-year in bovine carotid artery grafts (mean difference: -0.03, p < 0.0001). Bovine carotid artery grafts required fewer interventions per patient-year to maintain or restore patency (mean difference: -0.81, p = 0.002). No significant difference was detected regarding pseudoaneurysm formation (p = 0.24), steal syndrome (p = 0.11) or patency rates (primary: 1 year: p = 0.15, 2 years: p = 0.69; primary assisted: 1 year: p = 0.18, 2 years: p = 0.54; secondary: 1 year: p = 0.22, 2 years: p = 0.17). CONCLUSION: Bovine carotid artery and polytetrafluoroethylene grafts have similar short-term and long-term outcomes, with a possible advantage of bovine carotid artery grafts concerning graft infections and number of required interventions. Thus, bovine carotid artery grafts can be a useful alternative modality for haemodialysis vascular access.