VASCULAR ACCESS GUIDELINES FOR HEMODIALYSIS

Introduction. Quality of vascular access (VA) has aremarkable influence in hemodialysis patients outcomes. Dysfunction of VA represents a capital cause of morbi-mortality of these patients as well an increase in economical. Aims. Spanish Society of Nephrology, aware of the problem, has decided to carry out a revision of the issue with the aim of providing help in comprehension and treatment related with VA problems, and achieving an homogenization of practices in three mayor aspects: to increase arteriovenous fistula utilization as first vascular access, to increment vascular access monitoring practice and rationalise central catheters use. Development and conclusions. We present a consensus document elaborated by a multidisciplinar group composed by nephrologists, vascular surgeons, interventional radiologysts, infectious diseases specialists and nephrological nurses. Along six chapters that cover patient education, creation of VA, care, monitoring, complications and central catheters, we present the state of the art and propose guidelines for the best practice, according different evidence based degrees, with the intention to provide help at the professionals in order to take aproppiate decissions. Several quality standars are also included.