Helping dialysis fistulas heal and open better in older adults
Official title: BCCMA: Cardiovascular Remodeling following Arteriovenous Fistula Creation: Aging Contributes to Adverse Arteriovenous Fistula Remodeling
Funded at VA Salt Lake City Healthcare System · NIH-11247067 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research looks at why dialysis fistulas often don't grow enough in people with kidney failure, especially older adults, and explores ways to help them open and work better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Salt Lake City Healthcare System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX006078-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11247067 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people with end-stage kidney disease who are planning to have or recently had an arteriovenous fistula created for hemodialysis, especially older adults and Veterans.
✕Less likely to help
People without kidney failure, those who already have a well-functioning fistula, or patients not receiving care at participating VA sites are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
What this research studies
You'll be part of work led by VA Salt Lake City that studies how veins change after a dialysis fistula is made and why some fail to mature. The team will examine blood and tissue samples and use lab models to study effects of aging, specific collagen proteins, and cellular recycling (autophagy) on vein healing. They will combine patient-derived samples with experimental tests to pinpoint biological changes that block fistula growth. The goal is to identify targets that could lead to treatments or procedures to increase the chance a fistula becomes usable for dialysis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to treatments or approaches that help more fistulas mature so fewer patients need temporary catheters and complications are reduced.
How similar studies have gone: Past efforts to improve fistula maturation have had mixed results, so this project’s focus on aging, collagen, and autophagy brings newer biological angles that are partly novel.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Salt Lake City Healthcare System
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shiu, Yan-Ting E. — VA Salt Lake City Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Shiu, Yan-Ting E.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding how aging affects the success of vascular access for dialysis patients
This study is looking at why older patients sometimes have trouble with the creation of arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) needed for dialysis, and it hopes to find ways to make these procedures more successful so that patients can have a better quality of life.
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Cardiovascular changes after AV fistula creation and how autophagy affects it
A VA-led project looks at how blood vessel remodeling after AV fistula surgery may be helped by understanding and targeting autophagy.
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Understanding how aging and Alzheimer’s affect how people make tough choices
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.