Published in:
Open Access 01-12-2007 | Case report
Brachio-cephalic ('Gracz') fistula use for continuous hemofiltration in a hemodynamically unstable hemodialysis patient without venous vascular access: a case report
Published in: Journal of Medical Case Reports | Issue 1/2007
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Even in patients with chronic renal failure and chronic intermittent hemodialysis, continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) is the most often practiced renal replacement technique in the intensive care unit. Although patients show less hemodynamic instability during CVVH than during hemodialysis, it requires a blood flow exceeding 200 ml/min in the extracorporeal circuit necessitating the use of large bore catheters. Vascular access in critically ill septic and edematous patients is sometimes difficult, or even impossible.
We describe a technique of using a brachio-cephalic arterio-venous fistula in a hemodialysis patient for continuous hemofiltration (HF) resulting in improved hemodynamic stability.