Initial experience with Hemasite vascular access device for maintenance haemodialysis.

Thirteen uraemic patients having undergone chronic haemodialysis from a minimum of 16 months to a maximum of 15 years (mean 6.5 years) with unsuitable peripheral vessels for standard arteriovenous fistulae, received Hemasite, a new vascular access device which provides vascular access without needle puncture. Eight devices are still being used routinely with enthusiastic acceptance by the patients. Three subjects died because of unrelated causes, two of whom had a functioning device. Nine thromboses occurred in five patients. Thrombectomy was successful in three subjects. There were two cases of infection with loss of one device. In conclusion, the main advantage of Hemasite is the possibility of performing haemodialysis without needles, thus potentially maintaining the longevity of graft fistula. The only disadvantage of the device is its cost.