Graft Life

[David13]

Does anyone know how long a graft generally lasts?  From what I understand the fistula is considered the "gold standard" among accesses, but grafts are a good option, too.  Can anyone share some tips on how to extend the life of a graft?  Is there anyone who has had a graft for an exceptionally long time?

[lola]

2of my brother-in-laws have had there's for 30yrs another for 20.

[Bajanne]

That is really encouraging.  I have had mine for nearly three years, but earlier this year they had to redirect the arterial section.  I had a bit of infection.  I hope it lasts very long.

[cris]

wow, it's nice to hear that grafts can rally last that long. This early I am worried of my Mom's graft since we were told that graft usually lasts for only 3 yrs? and she has to go under the knife again. The vascular doctor advises us to constantly put a warm compress over her graft. Lately there is a spot on her upper graft that's too painful to stick. Hope her graft lasts long, I hate to see her in pain again. and it's only been since September.

[Chris]

I have both a graft and a fistula. Bone head doc should have done the graft in the first place when e looked inside to see bad calcification from diabetes that caused my graft to fail in 2 months. I have had my graft for 9 years without a problem yet. While I don't use it anymore, the doctors kep checking on it to make sure it is working fine for the "just in case" need arises someday. I wonder if there are stats regarding the original question though.

[petey]

Marvin has had 4 grafts and 2 fistulas (and 14 perm caths, too!).  The first graft he had, he never got to use it.  It got infected before he left the hospital, and he almost lost that arm (upper forearm).  The surgeon had to "borrow" a vein from his thigh to piece the access site back together after he took out the graft.  In Marvin's upper right arm, he's had three grafts (all tied into the same places -- armpit and bend of elbow).  The first one there lasted almost three years.  It had an anurysm and quit working.  It was left in place, and a second one was routed around it.  The second one in that arm lasted about six months -- anurysm again.  A third one was routed around the first two.  The third one lasted two weeks.  When the surgeon ran the dye to see why the third wasn't working too good, he said it looked like a colander -- so many holes where the nurses/techs had infiltrated, stuck, restuck, restuck, etc.  All three grafts remained in place (though not working) for over two years before MRSA settled on one of them and all had to be removed.  Even though the grafts have been removed, Marvin's upper right arm looks like a road map -- the lines (outlines of grafts) are permanently "tattooed" on his skin.

Marvin does much better with a fistula (first one lasted two years -- then Marvin got a transplant and it clotted off about six months later).  His current fistula has lasted for over three years.

I think Marvin's grafts would have lasted longer if the nurses/techs hadn't infiltrated so many times.  Of course, that's just my opinion -- I have no "facts" to back it up.

[Stacy Without An E]

My graft was inserted in August of 1995 and is still going strong today.  The trick is to be wary of medical personnel who wish to ignore the fact that you have a life giving apparatus in your arm.  When I still had my transplant nurses and aides would always want to place the blood pressure cuff on my left arm and I would have to warn then every single time that you just can't do that.  They would write it in large letters on the wipe off board above my bed and still they wouldn't pay attention.

Good care will lead to good long graft life.  Good luck with yours.