Human umbilical vein for vascular access in chronic hemodialysis.

Since 1979 we have used human umbilical vein graft as the ultimate vascular access for hemodialysis in patients with chronic renal failure. In 24 patients 33 graft fistulas were performed. Several complications were encountered. Among these infection was the most serious, occurring in seven grafts. All these grafts were removed and never used for hemodialysis. Thrombosis occurred 25 times, and five grafts were lost because of this, whereas 20 grafts had successful thrombectomy and continued to function. Aneurysm formation occurred four times, two grafts were lost. Stenosis was seen in three cases, one graft was lost. In the material 26 grafts were used for hemodialysis and a median function time of 8.5 months was obtained. At the end of the observation period 10 grafts were open, eight were used for hemodialysis, two were not used because of successful transplantation. The umbilical vein graft is an acceptable alternative as vascular access where conventional methods of fistula formation have been exhausted.