Timing of referral for vascular access placement: A systematic review
Received 7 August 2008; accepted 9 August 2008.
Objective
This review was conducted to determine the optimal timing for referring patients with end-stage renal disease to vascular surgery for access placement.
Methods
A systematic review of the electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Current Contents, Cochrane CENTRAL and Web of Science) was conducted through March 2007. Randomized and observational studies were eligible if they compared an early referral cohort with a late referral cohort in terms of patient-important outcomes such as death, access-related sepsis, and hospitalization related to access complications.
Results
We found no studies that fulfilled eligibility criteria.
Conclusion
At the present time, the optimal timing for referral to vascular surgery for vascular access placement is based on expert opinion and choices made by patients and physicians.
aDivision of Preventive Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn
bDivision of Endocrinology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn
cDivision of Nephrology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn
dDivision of Vascular Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn
eKnowledge and Encounter Research Unit, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn
fVA Medical Center, Georgetown and George Washington Universities, Washington, DC
Correspondence: M. Hassan Murad, MD, MPH, Mayo Clinic, Division of Preventive, Occupational and Aerospace Medicine, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55905
This review was funded by a contract from the Society for Vascular Surgery.
STATEMENT OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST: These authors report that they have no conflicts of interest with the sponsor of this supplement article or products discussed in this article.
ABSTRACT