Effects of Heparin on Arteriovenous Fistula Patency

Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is now the optimal method of obtaining vascular access for dialysis. Measures such as systemic anticoagulation have been proposed as means of increasing patency rates but enough evidence does not exist to support their use. The investigators aimed to evaluate the efficacy of preoperative heparin injection on patency of AVF during the first 24 hours after surgery and to determine whether such measure can be used to prevent early thrombosis of the vascular access.