Coil Embolization of Tributaries of Brachiocephalic Fistula is Effective in the Management of Vascular Steal.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: To determine if an aggressive approach to occlude all or majority of the tributaries of the cephalic vein is effective in eliminating signs and symptoms of vascular steal in patients with brachiocephalic fistula. METHODS: Retrospective chart review over a 15-month period of all patients managed with coil embolization of tributaries of brachiocephalic fistulae. RESULTS: A total of 19 patients (11 females, age 65 ± 9.7 years), presented with signs and symptoms of vascular steal. All patients had a brachiocephalic fistula with a 6.3 month average fistula age. Overall, a total of 111 coils were used to occlude 42 tributaries. Two patients had concomitant surgical ligation of 3 tributaries. Postoperative pain at the site of coiled tributaries was reported by two patients. A single patient suffered a major postprocedure complication (delayed hypotension), requiring hospital admission. All but one patient had significant improvement in symptoms of vascular steal postintervention. CONCLUSIONS: An aggressive approach to coil embolization of all major tributaries of a brachiocephalic fistula is effective in eliminating signs and symptoms of vascular steal.