The upper arm AV hemoaccess: long term follow-up.

The technique of the upper arm fistula using the end of the transposed basilic vein to the side of the brachial artery is reviewed. The functional patency rate at eight years is 70 percent. Complications associated with this angioaccess are minimal and easily managed. Its advantages include: the ease of the techniques, utilization of the patient's own transposed autologous vein, maintaining venous anatomic continuity with the axillary vein, thus avoiding a veno-venous anastomosis and a long superficially located access with excellent flow and with long functional patency rate.