How long did your Graft last ??

[brmoore]

    I searched this question but did not come up with much information. I was wondering how long
your Graft lasted and what happens after it fails ? Do they have to find a new location, or do they
just replace a new graft at the same site ?
    Would appreciate any information you can provide.
                                                              Thanks: Bruce

[Rerun]

Bruce everyone is different and I know you know that.... but it depends on your veins.  I've known people to have a graft for 10 years with no problem and then they have to have a revision.  It depends what is wrong with it.  It may just need a revision or completely bypassed and a new one put in.  I've had 3 fistulas (not grafts) and this one is working fine after a terrible mess in the beginning.

They can always put a catheter in your chest to bridge the time between graft problems.   

[sullidog]

My graft only lasted 6 months with one successful thrombectomy. They are going to put in a new access called a hero catheter in my right arm which is crossed between a catheter and a graft. My vains where just too small to support a graft. He said he could try a new graft but thinks it will behave the same way. As far as removal goes mine has been bleeding off and on so may need to be removed although my vascular surgeon hopes he can do something else because he says removing them is sort of troublesm.
Troy

[brmoore]

Hi Roy:
    I have read a little about the new HeRO device and it looks like a very interesting alternative. I don't
think there are too many Vascular Surgeons who are qualified to do the procedure.
    I see from your profile that you are a very young man and therefore find it surprising that your veins
were unable to support a graft - was there some other problem impacting your veins ?
                                                                                                                      Bruce

[brmoore]

Hi again ;
    Sorry for calling you Roy - Troy
                                                 Bruce

[jbeany]

Mine lasted 4 years, and only quit after my transplant. 

They don't put a new graft in the same spot.  They have to use a new location.  The outside of a graft is a mesh that the tissue grows into.  It's the tissue that closes when the needle is removed, since the graft can't heal like a natural fistula.  Removing it would take a huge chunk out of your arm.  Easy in, no easy out!

And yes, you can run out of places to put fistulas, grafts, and even catheters.  One of the women from my center is down to needing a cath placed into her back, since all other options have been used.

[sullidog]

My vaines are just small, it's hereditary.
Catheter in the back? well that's a bit od, didn't know they can put them there. When they put my catheter in well my second one they put it in the exact same spot as the first one I had.
Troy

[Gramapat]

I had a leg graft but had quite a few angioplasties because my leg kept swelling from a stenosed vein.  Then a few months ago it clotted.  They declotted it.  It clotted again on Wednesday.  Friday they declotted it and I went for dialysis that night.  It had already clotted again!!  Saturday I had to go in for a chest catheter.  I hate it!  Doctors are meeting this week to decide what to do.