Abstract: Objective To assess the patency and complication of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) graft as the fistulas for hemodialysis access. Methods A total of 286 uremic patients were implanted with expanded PTFE (ePTFE) grafts as the fistulas for permanent hemodialysis access in the period from Apr. 2012 to Dec. 2016. Success rate of fistula surgery, complications, patency rate relating to different surgical sites and different anastomosis forms were retrospectively analyzed. Results Success rate of the operation was l00%. Patency rates at 1, 2 and 3 year were 95.4%, 88.6% and 78.4% respectively. The common complications were
thrombosis (18.5%), pseudoaneurysms (4.5%), infection (3.8%) and others (7.0%). Conclusion ePTFE graft is an ideal alternative for constructing dialysis access in patients with difficulties of direct arteriovenous fistula establishment.

Key words: artificial graft, hemodialysis, arteriovenous fistula