European guidelines for vascular access: clinical algorithms on vascular access for haemodialysis

Abstract

Vascular access remains the Achilles heel of end-stage renal disease patients, receiving haemodialysis. The increase in the number of elderly dialysis patients with additional cardiovascular co-morbidities and diabetes mellitus makes the creation and maintenance of functioning vascular access, more difficult and cumbersome. Therefore, the development of guidelines for vascular access management seems logical. A team of multidisciplinary vascular access experts created a set of algorithms covering the whole spectrum from pre-operative vessel assessment, peri-operative access management and post-operative follow up and surveillance. Additionally, a range of various access complications with their diagnosis and treatment options were included in these algorithms. The new European guidelines for vascular access augment the knowledge of vascular access problems and their management. Additionally, the use of algorithms facilitates the decision-making when treating complications by all physicians dedicated to this field of healthcare.