This meta-analysis found an increased risk of radial-cephalic fistula failure in elderly patients and significant benefit from the creation of proximal autologous brachiocephalic fistulas. If confirmed by further prospective studies, these differences should be considered when planning a vascular access in incident elderly patients.

Endovascular stent graft repair of AEF was associated with a high incidence of infection or recurrent bleeding postoperatively. Evidence of sepsis preoperatively was indicating poor outcome.

Lower-extremity vascular access has acceptable results in terms of patency, with femoral vein transposition having better patency rates than femoral grafts. Autologous access is associated with less infective complications, however, at the expense of increased ischaemic complications rates. Further research with randomised trials is required to assess the outcomes of lower-extremity vascular access.