Inflammatory (infectious) complications in arteriovenous fistulae for hemodialysis

: Angioaccess procedures for hemodialysis over a 12-year period were retrospectively reviewed to ascertain the frequency of infectious complications. A total of 571 angioaccess procedures were performed including 88 e-polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) grafts. Early infectious complications occurred only in 5 autologne fistulae. Late infectious complications developed in 2.3% autogenous fistulae and in 7.95% ePTFE grafts. Infected arteriovenous fistulae can be the cause of further complications (thrombosis, bleeding, aneurysm, sepsis) and call for surgical repair.