Improved treatment feasibility in children with hemophilia using arteriovenous fistulae: the results after seven years of follow-up

Abstract

Background An easy and stable venous access is essential in hemophilic children who receive regular prophylaxis or immune tolerance induction treatment. Central venous access devices improve treatment feasibility, but their use is complicated by infection and/or thrombosis. Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) has been evaluated as an alternative to central venous access devices in hemophilic children since 1999.Design and Methods This study provides results obtained in a large series after seven years of follow-up.Results From 1999 to 2008, 43 procedures were performed in 38 children (median age: 2.7 years). Thirty-five AVFs (81%) achieved maturation after a median of 58 days and were used for a median of five years (range: 0.4–8.5). A brachial artery caliber larger than 1.2 mm was associated with successful maturation (p