Double guidewire technique (DGT): Optimising endovascular revision of juxta-anastomotic stenosis in AV-fistulae: A retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the preferred angioaccess for haemodialysis but suffers from a high stenosis rate, juxta-anastomotic stenosis (JAS) being the most frequent. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of JAS would have some advantage (such as mini-invasive and vein sparing treatment), but higher recurrence rate is observed as compared to surgery. We report results of juxta anastomotic stenosis PTA using the 'double guide technique' (DGT) as described by Turmel-Rodrigues, in a selected cohort from our Vascular Access Centre. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January to June 2018, 25 consecutive patients were treated by DGT. By means of retrograde access through the outflow vein by a 6 F introducer, two guide wires were navigated: one into proximal radial artery (GW1), the other into distal artery (GW2). GW2 was used to dilate juxta-anastomotic vein and anastomotic area with 6 mm high-pressure balloon, while by GW1 juxta-anastomotic artery was dilated with 4 mm semi-compliant balloon. Mean diameter of balloons were 6.7 and 4.1 mm for venous and arterial tract dilatation. Follow up was carried out up to 12 months. Prospectively collected data were analysed retrospectively. RESULTS: One-year primary and secondary patency was 52% and 95% respectively. Recurrence rate was 0.56 procedure/pt/year. Mean access blood flow at 12 months was 830 ml/min. CONCLUSION: Double Guidewire Technique is an effective and minimally invasive procedure. By avoiding under dilation of JAS the recurrence rate resulted quite satisfactorily in our population.

Monitoring the Patient Following Radio-Cephalic Arteriovenous Fistula Creation: Current Perspectives.

Autogenous radial-cephalic direct wrist arteriovenous fistula (RC-AVF) in the non-dominant arm is the gold standard for dialysis vascular access. However, the RC-AVF non-maturation rate is significant (≃ 40%) due to an increasingly elderly and comorbid population incidence. A detailed identification of the biological cascade underlying arteriovenous fistula (AVF) maturation could be the key to clinical research aimed at identify the group of patients at risk of primary AVF failure. Currently, careful post-operative monitoring remains the most crucial aspect to overcome the problem of impaired maturation. Up to 80% of patients with immature RC-AVF have problems potentially solvable with early endovascular or surgical correction. Physical examination by experienced practitioners in conjunction with duplex ultrasound examination (DUS) can identify physical signs of non-maturation, understand the underlying cause, and drive for a tailored early planning to treat the complication. New approaches for the early assessment of AVF maturation are under study. Techniques to promote RC-AVF maturation performed through the administration of pre-or peri-operative drugs have missed up to now to prove an efficacy in improving fistula success. The new techniques tested after surgery appear to hold future promise for improving fistula maturation.

Cubital vein transposition for a distal radiocephalic fistula complicated by outflow obstruction.

INTRODUCTION: Outflow stenosis is a frequent complication of vascular access for hemodialysis. It may cause increased pressure within the angioaccess along with reduced blood flow. Elective treatment is percutaneous transluminal angioplasty; however, when a long occlusion (>2 cm) occurs, success and mid-term patency of endovascular treatment are uncertain. We describe a case series of patients with long occlusion of elbow outflow complicating an otherwise excellent forearm arteriovenous fistula, treated by a bypass across the elbow through cubital vein transposition. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Six consecutive patients have been treated between 2015 and 2017; all were referred because of either low flow, increased venous pressure, excessive bleeding time, or recirculation and were examined by duplex ultrasound. A total of 83% of patients showed associated thrombosis within the access. All procedures were performed under loco-regional anesthesia and preventive hemostasis. Surgical thrombectomy was also performed when needed. RESULTS: Immediate success was obtained in all but two patients converted in veno-venous polytetrafluoroethylene bypass. Post-operative blood flow increased from 316 to 878 mL/min. All patients were dialyzed through the forearm access immediately the day after surgery, without the need for central vein catheter. Overall, 75% of patients needed a percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the veno-venous anastomosis within 6 months. Primary and secondary patency at 12 and 24 months were 25%-0% and 100%-100%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Outflow reconstruction through the elbow bypass by cubital vein transposition is a valuable resource to rescue radiocephalic arteriovenous fistula complicated by outflow obstruction, avoiding the use of an interim central vein catheter. Endovascular treatment is vital to maintain functional patency in the mid- and long term.

Impaired maturation of arteriovenous fistula for haemodialysis due to forearm artery stenosis: percutaneous endovascular treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Distal autogenous arteriovenous fistula (dAVF), considered the "gold standard" vascular access for haemodialysis, suffers from a high rate of impaired maturation. One of the usual causes is low-flow associated forearm arterial stenosis. In such cases, endovascular treatment by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty represents a helpful option to enable maturation of the vascular access.Currently, there are few reports concerning the treatment of this complication. Therefore, we describe our single-centre experience based on a retrospective review of prospectively collected data. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We treated 18 consecutive patients from July 2007 to January 2014 (16 radio-cephalic, 2 ulno-basilic distal AVF). A low flow due to forearm artery stenosis was diagnosed by duplex examination, as routinely performed one month after dAVF creation. An anterograde trans-brachial access was used for a 4-mm high-pressure angioplasty of the stenosed artery. RESULTS: All interventions resulted in patent fistulas. Isolated percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) was required without need of stent placement. Mean blood flow increased from 304 mL/min, preoperatively, to 671 mL/min (p<0.01), as checked one week after the procedure. One-year primary and secondary patency were 84% ±7.3% and 92% ± 9.2%, respectively. Under no circumstances did access-induced distal ischemia occurred during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular approach is a helpful and minimally invasive procedure for treatment of delayed maturation of dAVF related to forearm artery stenosis.

Rectal cancer surgery with sphincter preservation: functional results related to the level of anastomosis. Clinical and instrumental study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Unsatisfactory functional results have been reported not only after coloanal anastomosis, but also after anterior resection with colorectal anastomosis. The aim of this study is to establish functional outcome predictive factors related to surgical technique and especially the real impact of residual rectum length to identify patients who could benefit from colonic pouch reconstruction. METHODOLOGY: Sphincter preservation was achieved in 214 of 327 patients who underwent surgery for rectal cancer. Patients have been subdivided according to the level of anastomosis measured by a rigid proctoscope from the anal verge. In 93 patients functional results have been assessed by clinical control and anorectal manometry. RESULTS: Functional alterations such as leakage (13%), incontinence (5%), urgency (5%) and difficulty in evacuation (10%) appeared in patients who underwent anterior resection with anastomosis 4 to 6 cm from the anal verge. Nevertheless, comparing anterior resection with anastomosis 6 to 8 cm and that with anastomosis 4 to 6 cm rectal compliance was the only parameter whose difference is statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: This result makes us to believe that patients who undergo anterior resection with no more than 2-3 cm of residual rectum could benefit from a colonic pouch reconstruction.