Mid-arm approach to basilic and cephalic vein cannulation using ultrasound guidance

Central venous lines are often used when there is difficultyobtaining peripheral venous access. The basilic and cephalicveins in the mid-arm region, although difficult to see or palpate,can be imaged longitudinally and cannulated using real-timeultrasonography, providing an easy alternative. These techniquesare described, with reports of four typical cases.      

Dynamics of thrombophlebitis in central venous catheterization via basilic and cephalic veins

The incidence distribution of thrombophlebitis after central catheterization via basilic and cephalic veins was investigated, using 227 catheters made of various plain or heparin-coated materials and with differing stiffness and surface structures. The platelet-adhesion stimulating properties were measured in vitro. Thrombophlebitis showed similar incidence patterns with all catheter types. The maximum incidence of venous reaction was found one to ten days after catheter insertion (central tendency 3-8 days with a peak at 5 days). After ten days the risk of thrombophlebitis fell significantly. The results supported the view that central venous catheters inserted via basilic or cephalic veins should not be withdrawn or exchanged as prophylaxis against thrombophlebitis, at any rate when long-term catheterization is intended. For conclusive comparisons between catheter materials regarding induction of clinically apparent thrombophlebitis, all the patients in the trial should be catheterized for ten days or more, unless symptoms of venous reaction arise earlier.     

Long-term results of arteriovenous fistulas using transposed autologous basilic vein

BACKGROUND: The transposed autologous basilic vein to brachial artery arteriovenous fistula provides vascular access in the absence of adequate superficial vein. The long-term patency and complication rates of this conduit are largely unreported. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-four brachiobasilic fistulas were performed in 65 patients. This was a secondary or tertiary access procedure in 84 per cent of patients. RESULTS: Of the 74 fistulas performed, 50 were successfully used for dialysis (68 per cent) and 24 (32 per cent) were never used, including 13 fistulas that failed without being used for dialysis. Of the 74 fistulas, 46 per cent failed (n = 34), 10 patients died with a functioning fistula (n = 10) and five were transplanted. The 30-day secondary patency was 73 per cent at 1 year, 53 per cent at 2 years and 43 per cent at 3 years rate was 96 per cent. Cumulative secondary patency was 73 per cent at 1 year, 53 per cent at 2 years and 43 per cent at 3 years. Nineteen (26 per cent) fistulas underwent a further 19 operative procedures. Fifty-one (69 per cent) fistulas developed complications. The most common complications were arm oedema (24 per cent), thrombosis (22 per cent) and bleeding (18 per cent). CONCLUSION: In high-risk patients the autologous transposed brachiobasilic fistula has equivalent patency and lower complication rates than those reported for polytetrafluoroethylene interposition grafts.     

前臂远端贵要静脉转位建立自体血管内瘘手术

目的 探讨前臂远端贵要静脉转位建立自体血管内瘘的方法.方法 自2007年12月至2009年12月我们对26例维持性血液透析患者进行前臂远端贵要静脉转位建立自体血管内瘘手术治疗.26例中有17例为原桡动脉-头静脉内瘘因并发症失去功能,9例初次行血管内瘘手术.手术方式采用贵要静脉转位与肱动脉端侧吻合;贵要静脉转位与桡-动脉端端吻合;贵要动脉与尺动脉端侧或端端吻合,吻合口直径为5.0～8.0 mm.结果 26例患者中有1例因术后血肿压迫闭塞,2例因术后内瘘成熟不良,其余手术患者一次取得成功,术后血流量达200～350 ml/min.对患者的心功能未造成不良影响,也未出现严重并发症.结论 只要适应证选择合适,前臂远端贵要静脉转位建立自体血管内瘘手术,是尽量利用自身血管条件,建立内瘘的一种行之有效的方法.     

The value and limitations of the arm cephalic and basilic vein for arteriovenous access

The National Kidney Foundation has identified the use arteriovenous grafts (AVG) and the interventions required to maintain their patency as two major causes of increased expenditure in the management of hemodialysis access in end-stage renal disease patients. They have issued an appeal for the increased use of native arteriovenous fistulae (AVF). Although the radialcephalic AVF is considered to be the procedure of choice for these patients, other veins should be sought after to maintain an all-autogenous AVF policy. We examined our experience of using arm veins that were transposed to the brachial artery. Over the last 2.5 years, 109 brachiocephalic AVF (BCAVF) and 63 brachiobasilic AVF (BBAVF) were placed in 163 patients with chronic renal failure. In each group, 40 and 25 patients were males, respectively. Ages ranged from 29 to 88 years (mean 67 ± 1.4 years) and 37 to 84 years (mean 69 ± 2.0 years) in each group. Diabetic patients comprised 56 and 65% of each group and hypertensive patients comprised 73 and 75% of each group. Data collection was via chart review, personal interviews, and review of the dialysis records. Patency was assessed by life-table analysis. The log-rank test was performed in conjunction with Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Our results showed that the use of BCAVF and BBAVF appears to be a viable alternative to prosthetic arteriovenous grafts. On the basis of our experience, an algorithm for placement of AVF is suggested. Presented at the Twenty-fifth Annual Meeting of the Peripheral Vascular Surgery Society, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, June 10, 2000.     

Comparative effectiveness of one-stage versus two-stage basilic vein transposition arteriovenous fistulas

Objective

Basilic vein transposition (BVT) fistulas may be performed as either a one-stage or two-stage operation, although there is debate as to which technique is superior. This study was designed to evaluate the comparative clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness of one-stage vs two-stage BVT.

Native forearm fistulas utilizing the basilic vein: an underused type of vascular access

BACKGROUND: Arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are the solution of choice among diverse types of vascular access. The forearm basilic vein is rarely used for creating autogenous vascular access. Its use presents a valuable option when autogenous wrist radial-cephalic direct access cannot be created due to the destruction of forearm veins. Results obtained with autogenous wrist ulnar-basilic direct access and autogenous wrist radial-basilic transposition are presented below. METHODS: In the decade 1993-2003, native fistulas utilizing the forearm basilic vein were performed in 27 patients (14 women, 13 men). The basilic vein was anastomosed to the ulnar artery or was transposed and anastomosed to the radial artery. RESULTS: AVF creation was successful in 22 patients (81.5%). The primary patency rate was 70.4% after 1 year, 61.6% after 2 years and 48.4% after 3 years. CONCLUSIONS: AVFs utilizing the forearm basilic vein can be considered for primary or secondary vascular access because of the acceptable survival rate and low incidence of hand ischemia. Transposition of the basilic vein is a valuable option in the reconstruction of a thrombosed or stenosed radial-cephalic fistula.     

Evaluation of the efficacy of the transposed upper arm arteriovenous fistula: a single institutional review of 190 basilic and cephalic vein transposition procedures

INTRODUCTION: Although autogenous brachial-basilic upper arm transpositions (BVT) have been extensively utilized, there has been significant disparity in published patency rates. Very little is known about the efficacy of autogenous brachial-cephalic upper arm transpositions (CVT). We evaluated our experience with transposed upper arm arteriovenous fistulas (tAVF) in order to assess patency and identify factors that affect efficacy. We then compared our tAVF patients with a cohort of upper arm arteriovenous grafts (AVG). METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of tAVF performed at our institution from 1998 to 2004. The tAVF group consisted of 119 BVT and 71 CVT procedures. We compared these with 164 AVG. tAVF were placed only for veins >/=2.5 mm in diameter by duplex ultrasonography. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 28 months. With the exception of mean vein diameter, the patients in the BVT and CVT groups had similar demographic parameters and complication rates. Primary and secondary patency rates were 52% and 62% at 5 years for BVT and 40% and 46% at 5 years for CVT, respectively (P = NS). Multivariate analysis revealed that hemodialysis dependence at the time of fistula placement and history of previous upper arm access independently affected primary patency. History of upper torso dialysis catheters independently affected secondary patency. Comparison of the tAVF and AVG groups revealed that tAVF patients were significantly younger, more likely to be male, less likely to be African American (AA) and less likely to have a history of previous AV access. The primary patency rate for tAVF was significantly higher than for AVG: 48% vs 14% at 5 years (P < .001). The secondary patency rate for tAVF was also significantly higher than for AVG: 57% vs 17% at 5 years (P < .001). Among the tAVF procedures, 9% required one or more revisions to maintain secondary patency, compared to 51% with the AVG group (P < .001). Multivariate analysis revealed that presence of AVG and a history of previous upper arm access negatively affected primary and secondary patency. CONCLUSIONS: Autogenous BVT and CVT have similar, high patency rates. Transposed upper arm arteriovenous fistulas have higher patency rates than upper arm AVG and require significantly fewer revisions. Our data strongly support the contention that as long as the patient is a candidate for an upper arm tAVF, based on anatomical criteria, a tAVF should always be considered before an AVG.     

A review of aortopulmonary fistulas in aortic dissection

Aortopulmonary fistula is an exceedingly rare complication of aortic dissection. Only 4 cases in acute dissection and 8 cases in the chronic one have been published previously. We report the thirteenth case and a review of the literature. A man underwent an operation for type A aortic dissection. At surgery, a fistula was discovered between the false lumen and the main pulmonary artery, although the preoperative investigations did not suggest such a complication.     

头静脉转位联合缩窄术治疗高流量肱动脉-头静脉内瘘患者头静脉弓狭窄的临床疗效

目的:评估头静脉转位贵要(腋)静脉加内瘘缩窄术治疗高流量肱动脉-头静脉内瘘(BCF)患者头静脉弓狭窄(CAS)的疗效。方法:选择2014年1月—2017年6月22例因CAS入院的高流量BCF患者,行头静脉转位贵要(腋)静脉加内瘘缩窄术治疗,观察患者术后24 h的超声内瘘血管血流动力学变化,及术后内瘘的初级通畅率及次级通畅率。结果:术前22例患者平均透析时间(73.5±44.4)个月,头静脉弓内径(2.1±0.5)mm,人均接受过(1.9±0.4)次经皮球囊扩张成形术(PTA)治疗。术后24 h,患者肱动脉阻力指数及肱动脉内径较术前无明显变化(均P0.05),但肱动脉平均血流量及吻合口/静脉流出道内径较术前明显下降(均P0.05)。平均随访时间21.5个月,术后6、12、24、36个月初级通畅率分别为100%、100%、93.3%、58.3%,较其行PTA时明显升高(χ~2=49.23,P=0.000);6、12、24、36个月次级通畅率均为100%。术后仅有2例出现皮下血肿,无需处理;术后及随访期间无血栓事件发生。结论:静脉转位贵要(腋)静脉加内瘘缩窄术治疗高流量BCF患者CAS安全可控,能获得较好的远期通畅率。     

False traumatic aneurysms and arteriovenous fistulas: retrospective analysis

Background  

The purpose of this study was to analyze the incidence, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of false traumatic aneurysms and arteriovenous fistulas as well as the outcomes of the patients.     

Repair of secondary aortoenteric fistulas. A systematic review

We performed a systematic review of the literature on the diagnosis and treatment of secondary aortoenteric fistulas (AEF). A MEDLINE search was performed of articles published in English or Spanish between January 1991 and August 2006. Diagnostic methods, treatment modalities and the results of surgical treatment were analyzed. The most frequent first aortic surgery associated with AEF was repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm (54.31%). The most common form of presentation was gastrointestinal bleeding. Repair through in situ prosthetic replacement had the lowest early mortality rates (8-13.3%) compared with graft excision and extraanatomic revascularization (18.2-44%). AEF is a serious entity and diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion based on clinical findings and indirect data from imaging techniques (computed tomography). The most appropriate therapeutic option continues to be controversial.     

A review of dural arteriovenous fistulas with hemorrhagic onset

The majority of dural arteriovenous fistulas are considered to have a benign clinical course, but some behave more aggressively, causing progressive neurological symptoms and/or intracranial hemorrhage. Several classifications of angiographic findings have been reported to predict what findings might result in catastrophic presentation. Cortical venous drainage has been described as one of the major risk factors of hemorrhage. We reviewed the records of 50 patients with dural arteriovenous fistulas admitted to our institution from 1991 to 2001 and analyzed their venous drainage patterns with reference to Cognard's classification. Six patients had hemorrhagic episodes caused by dural arteriovenous fistula and all of them had retrograde drainage through cerebral veins. The frequency of hemorrhage in Type I and IIa was 0%, in Type IIb it was 33.3%, in Type IIa + b it was 9.1%, in Type III and Type IV it was 50%, and in Type V it was 100%. These results agreed with those of Cognard reported in 1994, and we reconfirmed the usefulness of Cognard's classification. In order to adapt a firm strategy and treat them promptly and aggressively, it is important to be able to recognize what type of dural arteriovenous fistulas are perilous.