Evaluation of vascular access before kidney transplantation in patients with successful kidney transplantation

Introduction: The status of embedded fistula before kidney transplant is one of the problems in patients after kidney transplant and without correct management, surely it can lead to severe complications. The vascular access of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) and its possible complications can be found using the registered data in patients who had undergone successful kidney transplant. This information may be useful to prevent possible complications in future. Objectives: This study was aimed to determine the status of vascular access before kidney transplant in patients with successful transplantation in Urmia city, Iran. Patients and Methods: This study was a historical cohort conducted on 201 patients from March 2009 to March 2012 who had undergone vascular access before kidney transplant. The related information about complications and functions of fistula were extracted from available records. Results: According to results, the patients were divided into four groups regarding fistula function including 104 patients (51.7%) with functional fistula after kidney transplant, 49 patients (24.4%) with spontaneously closed fistula, 37 patients (18.4%) with closed fistula through surgery and 11 patients (5.5%) with reduced blood flow of fistula. Conclusion: Despite the low incidence of heart failure in functional vascular access after successful renal transplantation, these patients should be followed up by cardiologists to avoid complications. Generally, closing vascular accesses after successful transplantation is not necessary.