The arteriovenous fistula. Its construction in the management of hemophilia.

• Arteriovenous fistulae using expanded polytetrafluorethylene (E-PTFE [Gore-Tex]) grafts were constructed in six patients with hemophilia for long-term vascular access where veins had been obliterated. The range of patency was four to 28 months, with a mean of 20 months. All patients had less than 8% level of factor VIII, which may have contributed to fistula patency. This approach was helpful in the management of these patients' conditions. ( Arch Surg 115:857-858, 1980)