The use of brachiobasilic arteriovenous fistulae for haemodialysis: a single-centre descriptive study.

AIM: The main aim of the study was to report on our local experience with the use of brachiobasilic arteriovenous fistulae (BBAVF) and to encourage wider local acceptance of the procedure in accordance with international guidelines. The primary aim was to report on access patency. The secondary aims were to report on functional outcomes and complications. METHODS: This was a retrospective, descriptive study of 41 consecutive haemodialysis patients who underwent BBAVF creation. RESULTS: The primary patency rates at 30 days, and one and three years were 95.1, 48.8 and 19.5%, respectively. Assisted primary patency rates at 30 days, and one and three years were 100, 67.7 and 24.3%, respectively. Secondary patency rates at 30 days, and one and three years were 100, 70.3 and 27%, respectively. CONCLUSION: BBAVF creation can successfully be performed in a resource-constrained environment by surgeons with limited prior experience with the technique. However, careful monitoring, well-established referral pathways for dysfunctional fistulae and access to surgical and endovascular revision seem to be key factors in ensuring long-term patency.

Outcomes and challenges of a kidney transplant programme at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town: A South African perspective.

INTRODUCTION: Access to dialysis and transplantation in the developing world remains limited. Therefore, optimising renal allograft survival is essential. This study aimed to evaluate clinical outcomes and identify poor prognostic factors in the renal transplant programme at Groote Schuur Hospital [GSH], Cape Town. . METHOD: Data were collected on all patients who underwent a kidney transplant at GSH from 1st July 2010 to the 30 June 2015. Analyses were performed to assess baseline characteristics, graft and patient survival, as well as predictors of poor outcome. . RESULTS: 198 patients were transplanted. The mean age was 38 +/- 10.5 years, 127 (64.1%) were male, and 86 (43.4%) were of African ethnicity. Deceased donor organs were used for 130 (66.7%) patients and living donors for 65 (33.3%). There were > 5 HLA mismatches in 58.9% of transplants. Sepsis was the commonest cause of death and delayed graft function [DGF] occurred in 41 (21.4%) recipients. Patient survival was 90.4% at 1 year and 83.1% at 5 years. Graft survival was 89.4% at 1 year and 80.0% at 5 years. DGF (HR 2.83 (1.12-7.19), p value = 0.028) and recipient age > 40 years (HR 3.12 (1.26-7.77), p value = 0.014) were predictors of death. CONCLUSION: Despite the high infectious burden, stratified immunosuppression and limited tissue typing this study reports encouraging results from a resource constrained transplant programme in South Africa. Renal transplantation is critical to improve access to treatment of end stage kidney disease where access to dialysis is limited.

Upper limb ischaemia: a South African single-centre experience.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to report on our experience with upper limb ischaemia (ULI), to define the pattern and distribution of disease, describe key demographic features and report on conventional clinical outcomes. METHODS: This was a single-centre, retrospective, descriptive study. All patients (n = 64) who underwent a surgical intervention for ULI over a 12-year study period were included. Findings were analysed and compared with the current literature. RESULTS: A male:female ratio of 0.60 was reported. Two major subgroups of patients were identified. The patients in the thrombo-embolic subgroup (n = 30) were notably younger than expected (mean age 55 years) compared to those in the atherosclerotic occlusive disease subgroup (n = 12, mean age 57 years). Presentation overall was generally late, with 8.6% of acute ULI and 48.3% of chronic ULI patients presenting with irreversible ischaemia and tissue loss, respectively. Thrombo-embolism was the dominant vascular pathology reported in this case series (47%). Ninety-five procedures were performed in 64 patients (89 open, six endovascular). Peri-operative (30-day) mortality rate was 7.8%. Systemic and procedure-related complications were observed in 13 and 23%, respectively. The overall major amputation rate was 10.9%. Adherence to follow up was poor (51% at six months). CONCLUSION: Although few firm conclusions could be drawn, this review has expanded our overall perspective of ULI, specific to the population we serve. Collaboration between African vascular units should be encouraged in an attempt to further define the pattern of ULI by identifying distinct geographical confounders.

Beware: The femoral haemodialysis catheter - a surgeon's perspective.

The ability to identify and address factors that threaten the optimal utilisation of donor organs is quintessential in obtaining satisfactory transplant outcomes. We share our concerns regarding the prolonged use of femoral haemodialysis catheters and its potential to jeopardise successful renal transplantation. Despite a paucity of literature on the topic, we review relevant aspects related to this pernicious form of vascular access and clarify its limited role in the modern haemodialysis unit, particularly in patients who are still considered for transplantation.