GUIDELINES [ back to index ]

Establishment of the guidelines for vascular access for hemodialysis

In 2000 an interdisciplinary Medical Expert Group was formed to work on guidelines for vascular access for hemodialysis. The names of the members are listed below. The group met two or three times per year until the work was done in the end of 2002.  Preliminary algorithms were first discussed and constructed, and subsequently each group member reviewed the relevant literature and formulated comments, which were discussed by the group. Algorithms and comments were changed according to the results of this discussion.
When the group felt the algorithms and comments were finished, the Vascular Access Society was asked to critically read the manuscript. Following vivid discussions among the Council of the VAS and after a lot of minor and major changes, the document was endorsed by the Council, printed as a booklet and published on the internet.

VAS has published the document, with the knowledge that these algorithms and especially the comments still are preliminary, and that there is a need for discussion and impact from experts in this field from all over the world to further improve them. This is a living document open to changes as knowledge changes and grows.
In order to obtain the best available accuracy, usefulness, and consensus, we are asking to provide  comments on the text of Clinical Algorithms of VAS at the this website in the section "Forum" for Guidelines of Vascular Access.

Otherwise send your comment to Jan Tordoir, secretary Vascular Access Society