Creation of an Arteriovenous Fistula for Transfusion

Abstract
The treatment of diseases that require multiple transfusions over a long time is frequently complicated by the lack of an available venous route. The bone marrow has been suggested as an alternate route, but has certain drawbacks.1 Although a subcutaneous arteriovenous fistula has frequently been used in recent years for hemodialysis,2 , 3 this procedure has rarely been used to create new superficial veins for the purpose of transfusions.3 , 4 Case ReportA 59-year-old man with von Willebrand's disease was admitted to the hospital because of melena, shortness of breath and anemia secondary to gastrointestinal bleeding from an occult site. For this problem, . . .