Abstract
Introduction
The indication of creation arteriovenous fistula(AVF) may be controversial in elderly population with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). Postoperative exercises improve maturation. However, sometimes these exercises could be difficult to perform in the elderly CKD patients. The hand grip device is easy to use, inexpensive and able to increase the muscles of the hand and foream. Nevertheless, scarce scientific evidence has been reported about the role of hand grip device on AVF maturation process in elderly population.
Objectives
To evaluate the efficacy of a hand grip training program on AVF maturation in our patients older than 75 years old with stages 5-5D CKD.
Methodology
A 15 months prospective study. After surgery, all patients were randomized to hand grip group (HG) or control group (CG). HG performed a training program using a hand grip device. CO received usual care. Demographics data, upper limb muscle strength (ULMS), Doppler ultrasound (DUS), measurements (outflow vein (OV) diameter and humeral artery blood flow rate (BFR), DUS and clinical AVF maturation as well as VA related complications (hematoma, stenosis, thrombosis, pseudoaneurysm, aneurysm) were assessed at 4 and 8 weeks postoperatively.
Results
29 patients. 16 HG, 13 CO. 69% men. Mean age 80,5±2,9 years. 41,4% Radiocephalic AVF. Demographic data, ULMS and DUS measurement at baseline were similar. A significant increase was observed in ULMS only in HG at the end of study (18,8±6,5 vs 21,3±7,1Kg, p=0,005). DUS measurements statistically increased for both groups (OV diameter: CG 2,9 ± 0,6 vs. 5,8 ± 1,4mm; HG 2,9 ± 0,8 vs. 7,2 ± 2,2 mm; humeral artery BFR: CG 132,9± 30,3 vs. 1310,2 ± 691,8ml/min; HG 128,1± 28,9 vs. 1530,7 ± 708,9 ml/min) at the end of study. HG group obtained highest clinical (CG 21,4% vs HG 78,6%;p=0,018) and DUS maturation (CG 27,8% vs HG 72,2%; p=0,011) at 4 weeks and highest clinical (CG 20% vs HG 80%;p=0,007) and DUS maturation (CG 25% vs HG 75%; p=0,002) at 8 weeks, significantly. Despite no significant differences, the number of complications was lower in the HG, mainly significant stenosis (CG 60% vs HG 40%; p=0,428).
Conclusions
The hand grip device is a useful, safety and easy to use training device to improve the AVF maturation in elderly patients. This device results a novel therapeutic option for the AVF maturation in elderly patients. Further studies are required to support these outcomes in this population.
Elderly Patients Started on Hemodialysis with a Tunneled Dialysis Catheter Have Similar Long-Term Survival after Arteriovenous Fistula or Arteriovenous Graft Placement
