Comparison of brachiobasilic transposition arteriovenous fistula outcomes among diabetic and non-diabetic patients: A case controlled study

Diabetes is considered a risk factor for arteriovenous fistula failure and increased perioperative complications; but this view is not proven for patients undergoing brachiobasilic transposition arteriovenous fistula (BBT-AVF). Fifty-one (68.9%) diabetic and 23 (31.08%) non-diabetic patients undergoing single-stage BBT-AVF were compared in terms of perioperative complications, access maturation and patency rates at The Aga Khan University Hospital from between January 2016 to December 2017. Diabetics were elder and more obese. The perioperative complications 19 (37.2%) vs. 8 (34.7%), and access maturation rates were compared (93.2% vs. 95.5%) between the two groups. At 6 months, access patency in diabetics was lower compared to non-diabetics (64.7% vs. 87.0%). Similar trend was noted at 12 and 24 months in both groups. This study showed that the diabetic and non-diabetic were comparable in terms of perioperative complications and maturation rate. However, short term patency rate was lower in diabetics compared to non-diabetics.