球囊扩张成形术处理透析用动静脉内瘘狭窄性病变及短中期结果

目的:探讨球囊扩张成形技术在治疗血液透析用动静脉内瘘(AVF)狭窄的临床效果。方法:回顾性分析2014年5月—2015年12月间采用球囊扩张成形技术治疗的31例血液透析用AVF狭窄性病变患者的临床资料。结果:31例患者中,男18例,女13例;桡动脉-头静脉内瘘27例,桡动脉-贵要静脉内瘘2例,尺动脉-贵要静脉内瘘2例;均接受球囊扩张技术治疗。28例(90.3%)获得技术上的成功,围手术期无患者死亡。1例患者术后出现动脉穿刺处假性动脉瘤,1例患者术后出现AVF血栓形成,1例患者出现前臂皮下血肿,其他所有患者AVF恢复通畅并能够以正常流量进行血液透析治疗。术后随访3~12个月,3、6、12个月初次通畅率分别为92.9%,75.0%,50.0%。结论:球囊扩张成形术处理AVF狭窄性病变微创、安全,是AVF狭窄性病变的合理治疗方法,但其中长期疗效仍有待于进一步改善。     

Treatment of "swing point stenoses" in hemodialysis arteriovenous fistulae

AIM: This is a retrospective study of percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty (PTA) efficacy for treatment of surgical vein mobilization site ("swing point") stenoses in hemodialysis arteriovenous fistulae (AVF) that fail to mature or are poorly functioning. METHOD: Between February 1, 1999, and February 28, 2001, 65 non-maturing or poorly functioning AVF were studied in 63 consecutive hemodialysis patients (30 male, 33 female, aged 26-92 years). All AVF underwent contrast angiography to study the inflow artery, AVF, outflow and central veins. PTA of stenotic sites was performed to initiate or restore AVF function. RESULTS: Seventy-eight venous and 2 arterial stenoses were found and treated with PTA in the 65 AVF. All PTA were technically successful. A total of 55 stenoses were identified in the vein at the site of surgical mobilization ("swing point"). Additionally, 19 cephalic and 4 central venous stenoses were found. During the study, 13 AVF underwent repeat PTA at the "swing point". Of the 65 AVF treated, 50 were being successfully used as an access site, 4 AVF were lost during follow-up (34-688 days; mean: 258 days) and 8 patients died within the study period. The duration of functional patency of the treated AVF was 39-660 days (mean: 280 days). CONCLUSION: Non-maturing or poorly functioning AVF frequently have stenoses in the outflow vein at the original site of surgical vein mobilization. These "swing point stenoses" are amenable to PTA, which is a safe and effective treatment for prolonging AVF patency and function.     

Cutting balloon angioplasty in hemodialysis arteriovenous fistula stenosis resistant to conventional balloon angioplasty

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of cutting balloon angioplasty for the treatment of hemodialysis arteriovenous fistula stenosis resistant to conventional percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). Methods The patients with arteriovenous fistula stenosis who had suboptimal results (residual stenosis ＞30%) by conventional PTA from December 2011 to February 2015 were enrolled. All the patients received cutting balloon angioplasty were rechecked every three months. Results A total of 25 patients with age of (60.7±12.9) years had suboptimal PTA results. Eleven patients with native arteriovenous fistula (AVF) and 14 patients with graft fistula (AVG) underwent cutting PTA for 30 times. The technical success rate was 86.7% and clinical success rate was 100%. The diameter stenosis pre-procedural and post-procedural of cutting PTA was (1.7±0.6) mm and (4.5±0.8) mm respectively (P＜0.05). Six patients had multiple lesions and the stenosis consisted of 21 outflow venous, 6 graft-to-vein anastomosis, 6 cephalic arch, 2 artery and 1 puncture hole stenosis. The primary access patency at 3 and 6 months for AVF group were 70.0% and 10.0%, while for AVG group the figures were 64.3% and 7.1% (P＞0.05). The secondary access patency at 3 and 6 months for AVF group were 70.0% and 30.0%, while for AVG group the figures were 85.7% and 64.3% (P＞0.05). The follow-up time was (8.1±7.3) months. The restenosis rate was 64.0%. Cutting PTA failed to achieve technical success for four times, of whom 2 patients required graft stent implantation and 2 patients required ultra-high-pressure balloons angioplasty to finally achieve technical success. The median survival time of fistula was 173 days. Conclusions Cutting balloon angioplasty have well short-term patency and safety in arteriovenous fistula stenosis resistant to conventional PTA, especially for calcified lesion or "balloon waist". Although it could provide a satisfied long patency by recurrent PTA, the use of cutting balloon would be not advocated as the first-line treatment for fistula stenosis. The efficacy superiority of cutting balloon between AVF and AVG, as well as the cost-effect comparison between cutting balloon and high-pressure balloon, remains unclear, the verification of which requires large-sampled, prospective and randomized studies.     

经桡动脉行自体动静脉内瘘功能不良的介入治疗

目的探讨经桡动脉行自体动静脉瘘(AVF)腔内成形和(或)溶栓治疗的可行性。方法于因AVF狭窄或血栓闭塞而需行介入治疗的患者中,选取经桡动脉入路介入治疗的8例患者进行回顾性分析。结果首次造影证实6例患者为AVF重度狭窄,即刻行腔内球囊成形术,术后狭窄程度改善;对2例急性血栓形成患者行动脉内溶栓治疗,次日复查造影示血栓溶解,其中1例溶栓后造影显示吻合口附近静脉狭窄严重,行PTA治疗,另1例狭窄程度较轻者未进一步PTA治疗。对8例患者随访2~13个月,其中7例可正常行AVF透析,1例单纯PTA治疗患者2个月后再次行PTA治疗,4个月后因AVF功能不良而改行颈内静脉插管透析。结论经桡动脉行AVF功能不良的介入治疗有一定的可行性。     

Ultrasound guided brachial arterial angioplasty during the creation of a radio-cephalic arteriovenous fistula: a case report

To prevent arteriovenous fistula (AVF) early failure, due to radial or brachial artery stenosis, ultrasound guided angioplasty performed while surgically creating the AVF could be an effective procedure. CASE REPORT: A 76-year-old diabetic male patient, on hemodialysis (HD) for 15 months, presented extensive thrombosis of the radio-cephalic AVF at the right arm, which had lasted for about 10 days. Ultrasound examination showed a 40% brachial artery stenosis with eccentric calcified plaque. The stenosis was localized about 1.5 cm before the artery bifurcation. The brachial artery diameter was 0.45 cm before and 0.26 cm at the level of the stenosis, the latter being 0.45 cm long. At the left wrist, under local anesthesia, the radial artery and the cephalic vein were exposed; the radial artery was then longitudinally incised for 7-8 mm in the area selected to create the AVF. A 6 Fr introducer, a metallic guide wire and a catheter for angioplasty were inserted one after the other in the radial artery. When the correct position of the angioplasty catheter in the stenotic area was established by ultrasound examination, the balloon was blown up to 13 atm for 35 sec, reducing the stenosis from 40-20%. Finally, a side-to-side radio-cephalic fistula was created, legating the distal vein. The AVF was used for HD after 3 weeks. The follow-up at 6 months demonstrated fair access performance and it was used without problems. Our satisfactory experience suggests that ultrasound guided angioplasty of brachial artery stenosis, performed simultaneously with surgical AVF creation, is possibly a successful procedure. This technique reduces the risk of early AVF failure and also allows, when required, stent implantation.     

Axillary Artery to Contralateral Axillary Vein Graft Fistula in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients

Background.?Vascular access failure is a severe and common complication for hemodialysis patients. The possible vascular access sites are limited in dialysis patients. Axillary artery to contralateral axillary vein arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is one of the possibilities. However, the clinical outcome of this procedure is still un-defined. Object.?The purpose of this study is to review the clinical outcome of axillary artery to contralateral axillary vein AVF as a hemodialysis vascular access. Patients and Methods.?We retrospectively reviewed native or graft arteriovenous fistula records for chronic hemodialysis patients at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, from 01 1986 to 03 2001. Records were reviewed for all chronic hemodialysis patients, with more than 2000 individuals receiving more than 10,000 fistulas. Eight patients received axillary artery to contralateral axillary vein AVF. Results.?The mean age for these patients was 61.7 ± 16.3 year-old at time of surgery. All patients had received multiple native or graft arteriovenous fistula creation. The 2-year and 4-year AVF graft survival is 87.5% and 43.8% respectively. One patients developed brachial plexopathy after operation. Another patient had venous hypertension distal to the AVF site. Both patients were managed conservatively. There is no AVF-related mortality in these patients. Conclusion. We conclude that axillary artery to contralateral axillary vein graft fistula may be a feasible alternative choice for chronic hemodialysis access.     

Prospective evaluation of factors associated with early failure of arteriovenous fistulae in hemodialysis patients

Recent guidelines have recommended performing native arteriovenous fistulae (AVF) in hemodialysis patients rather than synthetic grafts whenever possible. However, early failure of AVF may reach up to 50%. The purpose of this study was to assess the factors associated with early failure of such procedures in hemodialysis patients. A prospective study was performed on all patients with end-stage renal disease who had an AVF between June 2003 and March 2005. Data including patient characteristics and the type of AVF were recorded. The internal diameter of the vein and artery and intraoperative blood flow were measured. Patients were followed up for 3 months. One hundred twenty-six AVF were included in this study. Early failure was in 14 (9%) patients. The internal diameter of the vein and artery and intraoperative blood flow were significantly lower in the failure group than in the patent group. The failure rate was not significantly related to other parameters. Our data showed that intraoperative blood flow is a reliable parameter that determines the early failure of an AVF. Careful selection of the vein and the artery may reduce the rate of failure.     

Endovascular treatment of in-stent restenosis using excimer laser angioplasty and drug eluting balloons

In-stent restenosis after endovascular treatment of stenotic and occlusive disease of the infrainguinal arteries is still a clinical challenge. In this paper an overview of the current status of drug-eluting balloon technology and results of clinical trials with drug-eluting balloon angioplasty is given. Furthermore a case series of 10 patients with in-stent restenosis that were treated with excimer laser angioplasty and drug eluting balloons is described. In this case series the mean lesion length treated was 115 mm, and the mean time to occurrence of restenosis after initial treatment was 7.2 months. At a mean follow-up (of all patients) of 7.6 months no target vessel revascularization was seen. In 7 patients that had Duplex and/or angiographic control (mean follow-up 7 months) no signs of neointimal hyperplasia were demonstrated. These short-term data compare favorable to results obtained with standard balloon angioplasty and cutting-balloon angioplasty. Long-term follow-up is necessary to define the role of combined excimer laser and drug-eluting balloon angioplasty in the treatment of in-stent restenosis further.     

介入导管技术在动静脉内瘘失功治疗中的应用

目的:探讨动静脉内瘘(AVF)失功后介入手术的治疗方法,评估其治疗效果及应用价值。方法:回顾性分析自2006年4月—2015年1月行介入手术治疗的20例自体AVF失功患者的临床资料。结果:20例患者中,16例经静脉端造影,4例经股动脉-主动脉-腋动脉路径造影;单纯吻合口狭窄4例,行球囊扩张后狭窄明显改善;吻合口狭窄伴血栓形成有5例,切开取栓后再行球囊扩张治疗;静脉端血栓形成3例,切开取栓后返血良好;静脉端狭窄合并血栓形成7例,行切开取栓后再行球囊扩张治疗;头静脉长段闭塞1例,改用人工血管行AVF术。术后全部患者经该血管通路恢复透析治疗,透析时流量均200 m L/min。共17例患者获得随访,平均随访时间13.2个月,12个月通畅率为47.1%。结论:介入导管技术在治疗AVF失功方面是安全、有效的。     

Venovenostomy for Outflow Venous Obstruction in Patients with Upper Extremity Autogenous Hemodialysis Arteriovenous Access

Outflow venous obstruction is a common problem in patients with autogenous upper extremity hemodialysis access. Surgical revision to divert blood flow into the patent vein is sometimes possible to restore unobstructed flow. The result of this type of procedure is not yet well known. The purpose of this report is to describe our experience with outflow venovenostomy (VV) to salvage dysfunctional autogenous upper extremity arterial venous access (AVF) threatened by venous outflow obstruction in hemodialysis-dependent patients. All patients who underwent VV procedures between September 1999 and October 2004 were reviewed. Data regarding patient demographics, comorbidities, procedure indications, perioperative complications, as well as postoperative AVF function and patency were gathered from patient charts and dialysis records. A total of 11 patients underwent VV in the study period. The median age of the AVF prior to VV was 14 months, with a range of 4-45 months. Two patients had radial cephalic AVF, and they had VV done in the antecubital fossa. Nine patients had brachial cephalic AVF. Seven of them underwent cephalic vein transposition VV, while two patients had basilic vein transposition. Functional AVF was achieved after 1 month in 10 out of 11 patients. Five patients had no further access interventions, four patients required angioplasty at the VV site to maintain access function, and one patient had access infection requiring surgical revision during follow-up. One patient never achieved access function. Postintervention assisted functional patency was 90% ± 9.5% at 39 months. Median follow-up after VV was 16 months. Outflow VV is a viable surgical option for selected patients with failing AVF due to venous outflow obstruction.Presented at the Twenty-sixth Annual Meeting of the Canadian Society for Vascular Surgeons, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, October 22, 2004.     

介入手术联合口服培哚普利治疗血液透析患者动静脉瘘功能不良的疗效

目的 探讨经皮血管成形术(percutaneous transluminal angioplasty,PTA)治疗血液透析动静脉内瘘狭窄的有效性,比较介入手术后联合培哚普利对再次狭窄率的影响.方法 对17例自体血管动静脉内瘘狭窄患者行血管造影,其中15例行PTA.7例患者PTA术后每日口服培哚普利8 mg,7例患者未服用任何血管紧张素转换酶抑制剂(angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor,ACEI)和血管紧张素Ⅱ受体拮抗剂(angiotensin receptor blocker,ARB).术后对患者进行随访,观察球囊扩张术的并发症、技术成功率、临床成功率和半年通畅率.结果 17例患者均在动静脉内瘘成熟并使用3个月以上发生功能不良,造影见狭窄多位于动静脉吻合口附近及头静脉透析用穿刺段.经PTA治疗后,造影显示狭窄段血管扩张、再通,治疗技术成功率达86.7％ (13/15),临床成功率达93.3％(14/15).2例患者因为导丝无法通过近乎闭塞段血管而选择其他手术方式.穿刺部位血肿2例,无医源性血管破裂,无继发血栓形成.随访6个月,14例获得临床成功的患者内瘘半年通畅率为64.3％,其中培哚普利组发生再次狭窄1例,对照组发生再次狭窄4例.结论 PTA是治疗动静脉内瘘狭窄安全、有效及微创的方法,联合口服培哚普利可能有助于降低术后再次狭窄率.     

Early experiences of intraoperative ultrasound guided angioplasty of the arterial stenosis during upper limb arteriovenous fistula creation

In recent years the high prevalence of diabetes and atherosclerosis in elderly uremic patients starting hemodialysis (HD) has led to the increase in the risk of vascular access (VA) failure caused by pre-existing arterial diseases, including both VA slow maturation and early failure, and upper limb ischemic symptoms. Recently, in performing radial (R), brachial (B) and ulnar (U) artery (A) percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in HD patients affected by access thrombosis, with insufficient blood flow and severe upper limb ischemia, good outcomes have been reported. Nevertheless, these procedures were performed after arteriovenous fistula (AVF) creation. About 2 years ago, we approached an intra-operative ultrasound-guided transluminal angioplasty (IUTA) performed during AVF creation, using the arterial incision, necessary because of the anastomosis, to introduce the necessary devices for the IUTA. The arterial stenosis having undergone IUTA was diagnosed by a preliminary ultrasound examination. Ultrasound guidance during the procedure is necessary for correct balloon location in the stenosis site. We treated seven patients (four diabetics), mean age 76 + 5 yrs. In all cases, the radial arteries because of hyposphygmia, were unfit for AVF creation. Four distal radio-cephalic AVFs at the wrist were created in patients 1, 3, 4 and 5; in the other three patients (2, 6 and 7), with failure or thrombosis of previous distal AVFs, an immediately upstream anastomosis was performed. In all cases, first, the area selected to perform the AV anastomosis was exposed, then the AR was incised, and the introductory metallic guide wire and the angioplasty catheter (with dimensions decided after PUS), were introduced. The balloon was inflated to 8-13 atm for 30-35 sec. In two patients a stent was also positioned. Later, a side-to-side AVF was created, closing the distal venous vessel. Patient follow-up ranged from 6-22 months. The ultrasound evaluation after IUTA showed the correction of all the stenosis treated. AVF maturation was good, except for the stented ones, which were inadequate. In conclusion, our early experience shows IUTA could be an adequate and effective procedure allowing the use of the stenotic arteries (otherwise unsuitable) for AVF creation. In our experience, stenting after IUTA does not add any other advantages.     

Balloon angioplasty combined with vascular surgery

Seventy-nine intra-operative balloon angioplasties were performed in 72 patients undergoing a vascular reconstructive procedure over a 7-year-period (1981 through December 1987). The primary purpose of balloon angioplasty was either to increase inflow (26 procedures) or outflow (53 procedures) in association with a planned vascular operation and to avoid more extensive operative procedures in high risk patients. Peroperative balloon angioplasty involved atherosclerotic stenotic lesions in 26 iliac, 37 femoro-popliteal and 10 crural arteries. In 6 cases distal graft anastomotic stenoses were dilated. Follow-up ranged from 2 to 78 months (mean 32.4 months). The overall initial success rate was 84.8% and five procedure related complications were seen. One iliac restenosis with distal thrombosis, two superficial femoral artery dissections, one tibial artery thrombosis necessitating below knee amputation and one distal popliteal embolus after superficial femoral artery dilatation. There were no postoperative deaths. Fifty-one patients remained asymptomatic during follow-up. One iliac, eight femoro-popliteal and two tibial arteries restenosed with or without occlusion and thrombosis. The 3-year cumulative patency rate for the iliac and femoro-popliteal angioplasties is 80.2%. Intra-operative balloon angioplasty broadens the surgical therapeutic armamentarium available to correct multiple symptomatic arterial lesions. In addition this technique offers several advantages over a two stage procedure.     

Side-to-side arteriovenous fistula at the elbow with perforating vein ligation

OBJECTIVE: We postulated that ligation of a consistent perforating venous branch at the elbow would improve distention and flow in the superficial veins about the elbow. This would also lesson the likelihood of arterial steal enabling a favorable outcome following a brachial artery medial antecubital or cephalic vein arterio-venous fistula (AVF). METHODS: Pressure measurements were made from the radial artery after side-to-side brachial artery antecubital or cephalic vein AVF in 20 patients. Clamping of the perforating vein increased radial artery pressure significantly indicating that a considerable amount of flow from the side-to-side AVF was diverted into the deep system and away from the accessible superficial veins. Encouraged by this finding, we studied the outcome of brachial cephalic or brachial antecubital AVF with ligation of the deep branch in 134 patients who were not candidates for radio-cephalic AVF. The end point of the study was successful hemodialysis using the fistula. RESULTS: Of the 134 patients treated, 24 died, and 11 were lost to follow-up and were censored from analysis of fistula performance at that time point. The primary fistula success rate was 89.7% +/- 2.66% and 83.7% +/- 3.5% at 1 and 2 years by life table analysis. No patient developed significant arterial steal or venous hypertension. CONCLUSION: We recommend this simple one-stage procedure for patients requiring hemodialysis whose cephalic vein at the wrist is unsuitable.     

Plasma ADMA Predicts Restenosis of Arteriovenous Fistula

Plasma levels of asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide production, correlate with endothelial dysfunction and the development of cardiovascular events in patients with uremia. It is not known whether endothelial dysfunction contributes to the dysfunction of arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) in hemodialysis patients. Here, we studied the predictive value of baseline plasma ADMA for symptomatic restenosis of an AVF after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in dialysis patients. We obtained baseline plasma ADMA levels before percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in 100 consecutive patients with dysfunctional AVFs. Patients were followed up clinically for up to 6 mo after angioplasty for recurrent dysfunction. During the 6 mo after angioplasty, 46 patients experienced recurrent dysfunction of their AVF; of these, follow-up fistulography showed restenosis at the same location in 41, new stenosis at different locations in two, and no significant stenosis in three patients. Up to 60% of the patients with high levels of ADMA (>0.910 μM) had target lesion restenosis compared with 25% of those with low levels (<0.910 μM; P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, plasma ADMA independently nearly tripled the risk for recurrent symptomatic stenosis of an AVF after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (hazard ratio 2.65; 95% confidence interval 1.33 to 5.28). These results suggest a role for ADMA in the progression of symptomatic restenoses of AVFs after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and call for preventive strategies that target ADMA and/or endothelial dysfunction to decrease the risk for AVF restenosis.According to recommendations in the National Kidney Foundation Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (NKF-DOQI) guidelines, creation of native arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) is preferable to arteriovenous grafts because of their lower morbidity and higher long-term patency.¹ Nonetheless, AVFs are also subject eventually to dysfunction and failure, which is usually caused by stenosis in the venous segment of the fistula. Although percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is effective in treating these stenotic lesions, its benefit is attenuated by a high restenotic rate within 6 mo.¹ Several medical, mechanical, and genetic factors have been identified as being associated with functional or anatomic patency of AVFs^2–5; however, the major cause of individual variation in the development of symptomatic restenosis in dysfunctional fistulas remains unknown.Asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) synthase and has been implicated as an important contributor to endothelial dysfunction.^6,7 ADMA is not excreted in patients with ESRD, and its concentration in plasma is two to six times higher than in normal control subjects.⁸ In patients with ESRD, ADMA is correlated with the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events, which suggests that accumulation of ADMA might be an important cardiovascular risk factor⁹; however, the role of ADMA in the restenosis process after PTA of AVFs is not known. We hypothesized that plasma ADMA levels could be related to future development of symptomatic restenosis after PTA for dysfunctional AVFs. This study was then conducted to investigate prospectively the predictive value of baseline plasma ADMA levels for symptomatic angiographically documented restenosis after PTA in a cohort of patients with dysfunctional AVFs.     

Axillary artery to contralateral axillary vein graft fistula in chronic hemodialysis patients

BACKGROUND: Vascular access failure is a severe and common complication for hemodialysis patients. The possible vascular access sites are limited in dialysis patients. Axillary artery to contralateral axillary vein arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is one of the possibilities. However, the clinical outcome of this procedure is still un-defined. OBJECT: The purpose of this study is to review the clinical outcome of axillary artery to contralateral axillary vein AVF as a hemodialysis vascular access. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed native or graft arteriovenous fistula records for chronic hemodialysis patients at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, from January 1986 to March 2001. Records were reviewed for all chronic hemodialysis patients, with more than 2000 individuals receiving more than 10,000 fistulas. Eight patients received axillary artery to contralateral axillary vein AVF. RESULTS: The mean age for these patients was 61.7 +/- 16.3 year-old at time of surgery. All patients had received multiple native or graft arteriovenous fistula creation. The 2-year and 4-year AVF graft survival is 87.5% and 43.8% respectively. One patients developed brachial plexopathy after operation. Another patient had venous hypertension distal to the AVF site. Both patients were managed conservatively. There is no AVF-related mortality in these patients. CONCLUSION: We conclude that axillary artery to contralateral axillary vein graft fistula may be a feasible alternative choice for chronic hemodialysis access.     

Independent predictors of restenosis after percutaneous coronary revascularization in haemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous balloon angioplasty has become a well-established and routine procedure for coronary revascularization of haemodialysis patients with coronary artery disease. However, the incidence of restenosis after balloon angioplasty is significantly higher in haemodialysis patients than in the general population. We performed a retrospective study comparing balloon angioplasty with coronary stenting in haemodialysis patients. We evaluated the long-term clinical and angiographic outcome after successful percutaneous coronary revascularization in haemodialysis patients. METHODS: A total of 103 consecutive haemodialysis patients (123 lesions) underwent procedurally and clinically successful percutaneous revascularization. Patients were treated with three different strategies: (i) balloon angioplasty in 55 patients (69 lesions); (ii) coronary stenting with balloon angioplasty in 23 patients (25 lesions); and (iii) coronary stenting with rotational atherectomy in 25 patients (29 lesions) who had severely calcified stenotic coronaries. RESULTS: The rates of in-hospital mortality were similar in the three groups. The 1-year incidence of overall events and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were significantly higher in the balloon group than in the stent with/without rotational atherectomy groups (75% vs 36 and 28%, P<0.01; 71% vs 32 and 28%, P<0.01). Use of coronary stenting (relative risk=0.006, P<0.001) and the presence of calcified coronary lesion (relative risk=68.2, P<0.001) were independent predictors of the 1-year MACE-free survival after percutaneous revascularization. The 3-year MACE-free survival rate was significantly lower in the balloon group than in the stent with/without rotational atherectomy groups (11% vs 33 and 47%, P<0.005 and P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that coronary stenting reduces the incidence of MACE in haemodialysis patients with/without calcified coronary lesions. Moreover, coronary stenting reduces the restenosis rate of both complex and restenotic lesions, and rotational atherectomy prior to coronary stenting reduces the restenosis rate of the severely calcified coronary lesions. These results suggest that coronary stenting with/without rotational atherectomy has led to an improved long-term outcome in the haemodialysis patients with coronary artery disease.     

A comparison of patch angioplasty and stenting for axillary venous stenoses of thrombosed hemodialysis grafts

The efficacy of balloon angioplasty with stent placement is compared to surgical patch angioplasty for thrombosed upper arm hemodialysis grafts with stenotic lesions at the venous anastomosis. Patients with thrombosed hemodialysis grafts terminating at the axillary vein were reviewed. Thirty-eight stents were placed after thrombectomy and venous balloon angioplasty in 26 patients. Fifteen case-matched controls underwent 23 polytetrafluoroethylene patch angioplasties for similar lesions. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used for statistical comparison. Primary patency for stent placement compared with patch angioplasty was not statistically different at any time through 1-year follow-up (37% vs 55% at 3 months, 25% vs 45% at 6 months, and 25% vs 15% at 12 months, respectively; p = 0.37). Secondary patency rates were slightly better for patch angioplasty compared with stent placement (78% vs 59% at 3 months, 78% vs 48% at 6 months, and 54% vs 32% at 12 months, respectively) however these differences were not statistically significant (p = 0.13). There was no difference in complication rates between groups. Sustained patency is poor for both angioplasty with stent placement and surgical patch angioplasty when revising thrombosed dialysis grafts with anastomotic axillary vein stenosis. These data suggest slightly better patency for the routine use of patch angioplasty for these lesions. However, the endovascular approach appears to be a reasonable alternative when surgical exposure is difficult.     

Balloon angioplasty to facilitate autogenous arteriovenous access maturation: a new paradigm for upgrading small-caliber veins, improved function, and surveillance

Balloon angioplasty maturation is emerging as an important method to increase utilization and improve function of autogenous arteriovenous hemodialysis accesses (AVFs). Through the sequential dilation of small veins, large-diameter AVFs can be created with the inherent benefits of easier cannulation, greater overall surface area, improved patency, and fewer complications. A usable AVF can be created in a shorter amount of time, decreasing the need for dialysis catheters. In addition, selective angioplasty of the AVF inflow and outflow can facilitate improved flow rates and increase access longevity. Our approach, including primary balloon angioplasty during AVF creation, sequential balloon angioplasty maturation, and surveillance fistulagrams will be presented.     

Salvage of a severely dysfunctional arteriovenous fistula with a strictured and occluded outflow tract

Arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) created for the purpose of hemodialysis are frequently lost due to various vascular lesions. Endovascular therapies with percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty have become very valuable in treating AVF dysfunction due to vascular stenosis. Experience with these therapies is relatively limited. In this case report, we present a patient with a severely dysfunctional AVF. The vascular lesions affecting his AVF were numerous and severe. We show how the application of aggressive endovascular treatment succeeded in restoring use of his AVF. Throughout the discussion we share observations and personal experiences that may be useful for interventionalists and health care practitioners involved with the maintenance, use, and treatment of dialysis vascular accesses.