Abstract: Objective: To analyzes the opening rate of the first autologous arteriovenous fistula (AVF) in elderly hemodialysis (HD) patients, especially those more than 70 years old. Methods: According to the age, HD patients were divided into two groups: the elderly group: age≥70 years, 61 cases; the young group: 18 years≤age≤55 years old, 64 cases. Followed by18 months, the clinical data, surgical approach, primary and secondary opening rate of AVF were recorded. Results: In the young group, wrist autologous AVF was established in 58 cases, while elbow autologous AVF was done in 6 cases (9.3%). In the elderly group, wrist autologous AVF was established in 44 cases, while elbow autologous AVF was done in 17 cases (27.9%). The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in the elderly group was 42.6% (26/64), significantly higher than the young group (14.1%). (P <0.001) There was no significant difference of the primary and secondary opening rate of autologous AVF between the two groups. Both univariate analysis and multivariate analysis showed that diabetes mellitus was a major factor to the primary and secondary opening rate of the autologous AVF. Conclusion: There is no significant difference of the opening rate of autologous between the young group and the elderly group. Diabetes mellitus is the main factor affecting the opening rate of the AVF.

Key words: autologous arteriovenous fistula, the elderly, opening rate