Patency and Complication‑Free Survival of Hemodialysis Fistulas in a Sub‑Saharan African Cohort: A Retrospective Study of 162 Patients

Abstract

The question this study addressed. This retrospective cohort study evaluated primary patency and complication‑free survival of AVFs created in a Cameroonian tertiary center over 14 months. What this study adds. Among 162 patients (mean age 42 years, 54% male), radiocephalic fistulas (78%) and brachiocephalic fistulas (22%) were performed. Early thrombosis occurred in 15%, bleeding in 8%, non‑maturation in 11%. At 12 months, overall freedom from restenosis was 68.5%. Radiocephalic fistulas had significantly lower patency than brachiocephalic fistulas (61.1% vs. 94.4%, p=0.003). Freedom from complications (aneurysm, infection, non‑maturation) was 90.7% at 6 months and 83.3% at 12 months, with no difference between fistula types (p=0.34). Restenosis affected 32% of patients, infection 10%, aneurysm 8%. This publication is available in full in Health Research in Africa.