Dialysis access grafts: anatomic location of venous stenosis and results of angioplasty.

PURPOSE: To determine the distribution of stenoses and results of angioplasty in patients with similar forearm dialysis grafts made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diagnostic radiographs of the fistula obtained in 215 patients were reviewed; 90 patients had similar, unrevised forearm PTFE loop dialysis grafts. The location, morphology, and results of angioplasty were reviewed for each measurable stenosis. Surgical, radiologic, and dialysis records were reviewed to document the subsequent patency rate of each patient's dialysis access. RESULTS: On the initial diagnostic fistulogram, 93 stenoses were identified. The anatomic distribution included 47% at the venous anastomosis and 11% within 1 cm of the anastomosis. Life table analysis revealed a 6-month patency rate of 63% and a 1-year patency rate of 41% for the first angioplasty in a given graft, and a 6-month patency rate of 44% and a 1-year patency rate of 22% [corrected] for the second angioplasty. CONCLUSION: Performance of serial venous angioplasty procedures may help prolong the life of a graft, but the patency rates diminish with subsequent interventions.

Transvenous retrieval of misplaced stainless steel Greenfield filters.

Transvenous retrieval was attempted in five patients following surgical misplacement of stainless steel Greenfield filters. Four filters were located within the right atrium, and one was in the left hepatic vein. All retrievals were attempted within 5 days of placement. Retrieval was successful for the four filters in the right atrium and failed for the filter in the left hepatic vein. One air embolism occurred; this was the only filter- or retrieval-related complication. Transvenous retrieval is a safe and effective minimally invasive method of removing misplaced filters.