Review on Arteriovenous Fistula Techniques and Complications

The purpose of long-term vascular access is to provide repeated access to the circulation with the least adverse effects. An arteriovenous fistula is the most preferred vascular access for the initial choice of chronic hemodialysis access. This is because it is favorable for long-term use and consistent with patients’ characteristics and preferences. Moreover, it is easy to create and accompanied with minimal complications. The formation of the AV fistula necessitates adequate arterial and venous anatomy, as well as ample time for the AV fistula to mature before being used. Continuous monitoring is important to assess the functionality of AV fistula and to identify and treat associated complications. We aimed to review the literature for the different types of arteriovenous fistula, and the procedure and techniques in creating them. We also focused on the complications associated with arteriovenous fistula. Articles were chosen from the PubMed database, and selected studies were subjected to a thorough review. Patients with endstage renal disease rely on hemodialysis for survival. For hemodialysis, there are various types of vascular access. An arteriovenous fistula is one of these, and it can be placed in a variety of locations. The decision to use an AV fistula should be individualized based on the patient’s characteristics and physical evaluation. Moreover, continuous monitoring is crucial to promote the function of this vascular access.