Good long-term patency: 10-year follow-up using the mid-thigh adductor loop arteriovenous graft

Introduction:Definitive access in patients requiring renal replacement therapy is an ever-increasing challenge. For those where autogenous venous access is no longer a viable option, arteriovenous grafts can be considered. This article describes long-term follow-up, complications and patency rates of the mid-thigh ‘adductor loop’ arteriovenous graft.Methods:50 mid-thigh loop arteriovenous grafts have been inserted into 48 patients in our unit over the past 11 years. A prospective database was collected on patients receiving an arteriovenous graft at our unit by the senior author. All remained under the care of our unit ensuring accurate follow-up data collection and database was updated at regular intervals.Results:Death-only censored primary patency at 1, 3 and 5 years was 76%, 44% and 23%, respectively. Patients receiving transplants were not censored as follow-up of the arteriovenous grafts was possible. Secondary patency at 1, 3 and 5 years was 95%, 63% and 45%. These rates are higher than previous st...