# A decade of arteriovenous fistula creations in the ⩾75 years population: Equal opportunity or sub-optimal use of resources

## TL;DR

This study examines the outcomes of arteriovenous fistulas in elderly patients, finding that while they have similar patency rates to younger patients, quality of life is lower compared to other access types.

## Contribution

The study provides insights into AVF outcomes in the elderly, highlighting predictors of failure and the impact on quality of life.

## Key findings

- AVF failure to mature rate was 36%, with radiocephalic AVF, female gender, and peripheral vascular disease as significant predictors.
- Functional AVF patency was linked to a 12-month survival benefit and a median patency duration of 3 years.
- Elderly patients with AVFs reported lower quality of life compared to those with central venous catheters.

## Abstract

The optimal vascular access in the elderly remains contentious in the context of increasingly limited resources and anticipated survival on hemodialysis. Research focus has shifted to include the impact of vascular access on quality of life. This study explored clinical outcomes in individuals aged ⩾75 years who had an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) created in a single center over a 10-year period.

Demographic and clinical data concerning AVFs created January 2009–December 2019 were identified from a prospective database for retrospective analysis. Outcome measures were AVF patency and failure to mature rates plus overall patient and vascular access survival. The Vascular Access Specific Quality of life measure (VASQoL) was completed in a contemporary cohort aged ⩾75 years established on HD in October 2021.

AVF outcomes were available for 272 patients (93%). The failure to mature (FTM) rate was 36% with the significant predictors of AVF FTM being the creation of a radiocephalic AVF (OR 8.13, 95% CI 8.02–8.52, p < 0.01), female gender (OR 4.84, 95% CI 4.70–5.41, p < 0.01), and a history of peripheral vascular disease (OR 5.25, 95% CI 5.22–6.00, p value = 0.02). Functional patency was associated with a median 12-month survival benefit compared to those whose fistula FTM (p < 0.01). The median patency duration for a functionally patent AVF was 3 years. Elderly patients with a fistula reported a lower quality of life in VASQoL scoring than those with central venous catheters.

In this cohort, AVF creation in individuals aged ⩾75 years AVFs was associated with comparable AVF patency rates to younger patients. AVF functional patency was associated with superior patient survival compared to those with AVF FTM. A multi-disciplinary surveillance program may help reduce AVF loss. Further work on how vascular access choice impacts quality of life in elderly patients is required.