PROSPECTIVE 5-YEAR STUDY OF ARTERIOVENOUS-FISTULAS IN 90 RENAL-FAILURE PATIENTS IN CAMEROON

Ninety Cameroonese patients with end-stage chronic renal failure under went creation of an arteriovenous fistula in view of chronic hemodialy sis. Of the 90 fistulas, 92.22% were radiocephalic; of these, 76% were end-to-side. Failure rates were 6.7% at completion of the procedure a nd 14.44% after four weeks. The fistulas functioned adequately for a m ean of 168 weeks. Thrombosis was the main early complication. Delayed complications were dominated by false aneurysm formation, infection, a nd thrombosis. Diabetes mellitus, advanced age, and severe hypertensio n requiring combination drug therapy were associated with an increased risk of fistula failure.