OBJECTIVE: To determine whether arteriovenous graft (AVG) can be cannulated for haemodialysis 24-48 h following placement. DESIGN AND MATERIALS: Thirty-six upper extremity Gore-Tex PTFE arteriovenous grafts were cannulated for haemiodialysis 24-36 h (n = 18) and at 10-14 days (n = 18) following insertion. The determinant parameters were compression time to control bleeding, venous back pressure, haematoma, infection and occlusion. MAIN RESULTS: In a 40 day follow-up, there were no significant difference in cannulation of AVG at 24-36 h vs. 10-14 days using the predetermined parameters. CONCLUSION: Early graft cannulation produced no adverse results than late cannulation when the diameter of the tunneller matched the diameter of the graft. Early graft cannulation was safe and recommended.
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether arteriovenous graft (AVG) can be cannulated for haemodialysis 24-48 h following placement. DESIGN AND MATERIALS: Thirty-six upper extremity Gore-Tex PTFE arteriovenous grafts were cannulated for haemiodialysis 24-36 h (n = 18) and at 10-14 days (n = 18) following insertion. The determinant parameters were compression time to control bleeding, venous back pressure, haematoma, infection and occlusion. MAIN RESULTS: In a 40 day follow-up, there were no significant difference in cannulation of AVG at 24-36 h vs. 10-14 days using the predetermined parameters. CONCLUSION: Early graft cannulation produced no adverse results than late cannulation when the diameter of the tunneller matched the diameter of the graft. Early graft cannulation was safe and recommended.