Prospective Analysis of Arteriovenous Access (AVA) Use for Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT)

Arteriovenous fistula or graft are the ideal hemodialysis access. Nonetheless the most common access type used for Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) is either a temporary or permanent hemodialysis catheter. Recommendations for the use of catheters to deliver CRRT in end stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients are lacking on data and subjective to anecdotal experiences and expert consensus. The repetitive placement of catheters in ESKD patients have shown to increase the chances of central vascular stenosis which is one of the main risk factors that lead to access failure. Also, the repetitive use of dialysis catheters increases the risk for catheter associated infections. Dedicated studies demonstrating the safety and feasibility of using arteriovenous access (AVA) for CRRT are scarce. No screening criteria or algorithm exists to determine the adequate patient and clinical scenario to use AVA for CRRT.

Goals of the study:

1. To develop a standard operating procedure for the use of AVA in CRRT. 2. Evaluate the safety and efficacy of using AVA for CRRT.