BIOMATERIALS FOR HEMODIALYSIS ACCESS

While the optimal vascular conduit for hemodialysis is undeniably an a rterialized autogenous subcutaneous vein, only a minority of end-stage renal disease patients can count on such access: the remainder requir e implantation of a biomaterial conduit. This paper will briefly surve y current biografts used for hemodialysis access, with an emphasis on their known limitations, and will delineate the questions to be asked - and answered - in the development of optimal dialysis access grafts.