BioTrends Research Group, Inc. recently published its TreatmentTrends®: Vascular Access report. This report is based on online survey results from over 150 physicians (general nephrologists, surgeons, interventional radiologists and interventional nephrologists). It provides an in-depth view of the dialysis vascular access market and current practice patterns related to both vascular access placement and maintenance.
The report explores the roles of various physicians related to vascular access, reasons for choice of different access options and barriers to fistula use. It also looks at the type and frequency of interventions being performed and impact on missed dialysis sessions. The report also reviews controversies and challenges in vascular access, physician perceptions and expectations about the future of the dialysis vascular access market including the impact of bundling and projected use of fistulas, grafts and catheters in both incident and prevalent dialysis patients. Physician awareness, perceptions and use of the latest access option, Hemosphere's HeRO device, is also included. Thought leaders, as well as companies / representatives that are active in the vascular access field, are identified.
"This unique report clearly demonstrates many of the challenges that continue to exist regarding the improvement of incident and prevalent arteriovenous fistula rates," said Dr. Jay Wish, clinical consultant at the Fistula First Breakthrough Initiative. "Moreover, it reveals a disconnect among the expectations of nephrologists, surgeons and interventionalists that may be a barrier to optimal fistula use. It is hoped that continued research into some of these areas of controversy will promote the development of more evidence-based guidance regarding vascular access selection, timing, monitoring, and the use of newer agents to increase short and long-term patency."
On the horizon, there are a number of products in development that may improve fistula maturation rates and / or improve vascular access patency. Physicians in this report provide insight into what they consider to be a clinically significant reduction in clot events and provide input on the perceived value, advantages and disadvantages of Ark's Trinam, Cytografts' Lifeline, Pervasis' Vascugel, and Proteon's PRT-201, all of which are in development and profiled in the report.
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