The challenge of stent placement within cannulation zones of Arteriovenous Fistulae.

BACKGROUND: Stent placement in the cannulation zone of AVF is becoming alarmingly frequent and sometimes in cases where surgical management would be more appropriate. When complications arise repair can be particularly challenging. We present our experience and management of this problem. METHODS: We report our experience on three patients (two females and one male, mean age 72) that were referred to our department for problems related to stents placed at the cannulation segments. RESULTS: All patients required complex surgical interventions. In two of them maintenance of access was possible but required the use of a graft. In one complete resection of the AVF and all stents was necessary, and the patient remained on dialysis through catheter. CONCLUSION: Stent placement at the cannulation zones may complicate access management in the future and should be avoided if possible.

Percutaneous creation of proximal radio-radial arteriovenous hemodialysis fistula before secondary brachial vein elevation.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluate the creation of a percutaneous proximal radial artery-radial vein arteriovenous fistula with Ellipsys® instead of the usual first-stage brachial artery fistula prior to a second-stage brachial vein elevation, in patients with inadequate cephalic and basilic veins. METHODS: Single center study of eight patients (six males, mean = 54 years) who underwent a two-stage brachial vein elevation procedure between May 2017 and October 2019. Inclusion criteria were life expectancy > 6 months, patent brachial and proximal radial artery (>2 mm in diameter) absent/inadequate cephalic and basilic veins, existence of a brachial vein >3 mm in diameter, and in continuity with a proximal radial vein > 2 mm in diameter. RESULTS: Technical success was 100%. Four patients required angioplasty of a juxta-anastomotic stenosis, accounting for a 6-month primary and secondary patency rates were 68% and 100%, respectively. Access flow averaged 982 mL/min (range 768-1586) at final follow-up evaluation. There were no significant adverse events related to the procedures. All fistulae were elevated at 4-12 (mean: 8) weeks post creation and were successfully cannulated with two needles after healing was completed (2-4 weeks after elevation). No patients developed hand ischemia or arm edema. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous creation of a proximal radial artery-radial vein fistula followed by brachial vein elevation is a safe and reliable option for autogenous access creation in patients with inadequate cephalic or basilic veins. Minimally invasive radial artery inflow and longer available length of the targeted brachial vein available for elevation are the main advantages in skilled hands.

Midterm results of percutaneous arteriovenous fistula creation with the Ellipsys Vascular Access System, technical recommendations, and an algorithm for maintenance.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to report our midterm results of percutaneous arteriovenous fistula (pAVF) creation using the Ellipsys (Avenu Medical, San Juan Capistrano, Calif) device and to present technical recommendations and our algorithm of pAVF maintenance. METHODS: A single-center comprehensive database of all consecutive predialysis and end-stage renal disease patients who had a pAVF creation with the Ellipsys device was reviewed retrospectively. Study end points included technical success, maturation, functional patency, and required interventions. RESULTS: Between May 2017 and July 2019, there were 234 patients (mean age, 64 years; 148 male [63%]) who had a pAVF created. Technical success was achieved in 232 individuals (99%), and average duration of the procedure was 15 minutes (7-35 minutes). Average follow-up was 252 days (range, 83-696 days). The 1-year primary, primary assisted, and secondary patency rates were 54%, 85%, and 96%, respectively. Average pAVF flow was 923 mL/min (range, 425-1440 mL/min). There were no significant adverse events related to the procedure. Only three patients (1%) required a later conversion of the pAVF anastomosis to a surgical fistula. Twenty-four (10%) patients required superficialization of deep outflow veins because of difficult cannulation. Average maturation time was 4 weeks (range, 1-12 weeks). Fourteen patients (6%) had early (<2 weeks after creation) cannulation of the pAVF. CONCLUSIONS: The Ellipsys pAVF device allows the rapid and safe creation of a reliable autogenous access. Rates of technical success, patency, and maturation were excellent. For patients unsuited for a distal radiocephalic arteriovenous fistula, it should be considered the next preferred access option.

Ultrasound evaluation of percutaneously created arteriovenous fistulae between radial artery and perforating vein at the elbow.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the hemodynamics of percutaneous arteriovenous fistulae (pAVF) created between the proximal radial artery and the deep communicating vein of the elbow. METHODS: Consecutive patients with a percutaneously created proximal radial artery to perforating vein arteriovenous fistulae were evaluated and compared with control patients with clinically well-functioning surgical wrist radiocephalic arteriovenous fistulae (sWRC-AVF). RESULTS: Thirty-one patients with a pAVF (21 males - 68%, mean age: 62 years, range: 53-81), with mean follow-up of 254 days (range: 60-443) and 32 patients with a surgical fistula (20 males - 62%, mean age of 63 years, range: 30-84) were evaluated. Mean access flow and distribution range were similar in the two study groups, with a mean flow of 859 mL/min vs 919 mL/min, respectively. There was no significant difference in the mean radial artery diameter (4 mm vs 4.3 mm, p = 0.2). Statistically significant trends were observed for resistive index (0.57 pAVF vs 0.52 (0.07) and brachial vein cross-sectional area (13 pAVF vs 33 mm2, p = 0.06). The arteriovenous anastomosis area was significantly smaller with pAVFs (13 vs 43 mm2, p = 0.002) and the pressure difference between extremities was less for the pAVF group vs sWRC-AVF (19 vs 27 mm Hg, respectively, p = 0.03). Existence of single cephalic or basilic versus cephalic and basilic outflow did not affect vein maturation or overall flow. CONCLUSIONS: pAVF have a favourable hemodynamic profile with many similarities when compared with surgically created wrist fistulae. Cephalic and/or basilic vein matured with only minor outflow shunted to the deep venous system.

Feasibility for arteriovenous fistula creation with Ellipsys®.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of percutaneous arteriovenous fistula creation in consecutive patients screened for first access creation. METHODS: Prospective study of ultrasound mapping based on the following minimal anatomic requirements: a patent proximal radial artery and adjacent elbow perforating vein with straight trajectory, each greater than or equal to 2 mm in diameter and within 1.5 mm of each other. In addition, the same population was evaluated for feasibility of a distal radiocephalic fistula established. RESULTS: One hundred consecutive patients were examined between November 2018 and January 2019. Sixty-seven were male (67%) and mean age was 61 years. Sixty-three patients (63%) and a total of 100 limbs (50%) were found to be eligible for a percutaneous fistula creation with Ellipsys®. Thirty-seven percent of patients were ineligible because of the absence of both median cephalic and median cubital veins (15%), absence or inadequate elbow perforating vein and/or smaller than 2 mm proximal radial artery (14%), and/or distance greater than 1.5 mm (8%). We found suitable vessels for a surgical distal fistula creation in 91 extremities (45%), but this percentage dropped to 17% in patients over 70 years old. Among the 100 limbs eligible for percutaneous arteriovenous fistula, only 30 (30%) were eligible for radiocephalic arteriovenous fistula. CONCLUSION: More than 60% of patients were eligible for Ellipsys. The absence of veins at the elbow and a large distance between vessels were the most common limiting factors. Less than one half of the patients were candidates for surgical fistula and this percentage dropped significantly for older individuals.

Vascular access in children requiring maintenance haemodialysis: a consensus document by the European Society for Paediatric Nephrology Dialysis Working Group

There are three principle forms of vascular access available for the treatment of children with end stage kidney disease (ESKD) by haemodialysis: tunnelled catheters placed in a central vein (central venous lines, CVLs), arteriovenous fistulas (AVF), and arteriovenous grafts (AVG) using prosthetic orbiological material. Compared with the adult literature, there are few studies in children to provide evidence based guidelines for optimal vascular access type or its management and outcomes in children with ESKD.

Vascular access in children requiring maintenance haemodialysis: a consensus document by the European Society for Paediatric Nephrology Dialysis Working Group.

BACKGROUND: There are three principle forms of vascular access available for the treatment of children with end stage kidney disease (ESKD) by haemodialysis: tunnelled catheters placed in a central vein (central venous lines, CVLs), arteriovenous fistulas (AVF), and arteriovenous grafts (AVG) using prosthetic or biological material. Compared with the adult literature, there are few studies in children to provide evidence based guidelines for optimal vascular access type or its management and outcomes in children with ESKD. METHODS: The European Society for Paediatric Nephrology Dialysis Working Group (ESPN Dialysis WG) have developed recommendations for the choice of access type, pre-operative evaluation, monitoring, and prevention and management of complications of different access types in children with ESKD. RESULTS: For adults with ESKD on haemodialysis, the principle of "Fistula First" has been key to changing the attitude to vascular access for haemodialysis. However, data from multiple observational studies and the International Paediatric Haemodialysis Network registry suggest that CVLs are associated with a significantly higher rate of infections and access dysfunction, and need for access replacement. Despite this, AVFs are used in only ∼25% of children on haemodialysis. It is important to provide the right access for the right patient at the right time in their life-course of renal replacement therapy, with an emphasis on venous preservation at all times. While AVFs may not be suitable in the very young or those with an anticipated short dialysis course before transplantation, many paediatric studies have shown that AVFs are superior to CVLs. CONCLUSIONS: Here we present clinical practice recommendations for AVFs and CVLs in children with ESKD. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system has been used to develop and GRADE the recommendations. In the absence of high quality evidence, the opinion of experts from the ESPN Dialysis WG is provided, but is clearly GRADE-ed as such and must be carefully considered by the treating physician, and adapted to local expertise and individual patient needs as appropriate.

Early results of percutaneous arteriovenous fistula creation with the Ellipsys Vascular Access System.

OBJECTIVE: We reviewed our initial experience creating a percutaneous arteriovenous fistula (pAVF) using a thermal resistance anastomosis device with proximal radial artery inflow. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of all patients who underwent a pAVF creation procedure between May 2017 and October 2017. Primary end points of the study were technical success, patency by Doppler ultrasound examination or angiography, flow levels achieved, time to first use, and pAVF-related complications. RESULTS: A pAVF was attempted in 34 patients with technical success in 33 individuals (97%). Patency of the pAVF was 94%. Mean access flow was 946 mL/min (brachial artery measurement) at the latest follow-up visit (53-229 days; average, 141 days). At 6 weeks, all fistulas have been used or were ready for dialysis by clinical examination or ultrasound examination. Only one patient required superficialization of the upper arm cephalic vein by lipectomy. There were no adverse events related to the pAVF creation or use, nor was there need for further interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Successful pAVFs with proximal radial artery inflow were created with excellent initial results regarding technical success, patency, and safety. Advantages include avoidance of a surgical incision, short procedure times, good acceptance by patients, prompt access maturation, moderate flow, and low-pressure access, with possible reduction of risk for ischemic complications. Avoidance of vessel manipulation and side branch ligation might reduce risk of thrombosis and improve long-term patency and reduce need for further interventions. These early findings need to be confirmed in larger and longer follow-up studies.

Autologous arteriovenous fistulas for hemodialysis using microsurgery techniques in children weighing less than 20 kg.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to describe the efficiency and longevity of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) for hemodialysis (HD) in children weighing ≤20 kg. METHODS: We collected data of all AVFs created using microsurgery techniques between 1988 and 2015. Success was considered as the ability to use the AVF for HD. Primary and secondary patency rates were measured. RESULTS: Forty-eight AVFs (35 forearm, 13 upper arm) were created in 41 children with a median weight of 13.5 kg (range 5.5-20). The need for a second AVF was significantly higher in younger and thinner children at the time of AVF creation (p = 0.046 and p = 0.019, respectively). Successful use for HD occurred in 42 AVFs (87.5%), while six (12.5%) resulted in failure for early thrombosis or nonmaturation. Median time to first cannulation was 18.8 weeks (range 2-166.3). Primary and secondary patency rates at 1, 5, and 10-year follow-ups were 54.2%, 29.2%, and 13.7%; and 85.4%, 57.7%, and 33%, respectively. Almost one third of thromboses after first AVF cannulation were observed at kidney transplantation (KT) perioperatively. At the end of the follow-up (median duration 5.07 years, range 0-17.95), one patient was still on HD via AVF, two died of unrelated reason, and 38 were transplanted-one of whom returned to HD with a new AVF. CONCLUSIONS: AVF using microsurgery techniques is feasible in young children, showing an early failure rate of 12.5%. Time to first cannulation may be rather long, but secondary patency is excellent. Thrombosis rate is high during KT.

Brachial vein transposition is a promising ultimate upper limb autologous arteriovenous angioaccess despite its many pitfalls.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the possibility of using the brachial veins despite their deep location, small caliber, and thin wall. METHODS: There were 64 patients without superficial veins who were eligible for two-stage brachial vein transposition (BrVT); 54 patients were on hemodialysis, 9 patients had sickle cell disease, and 1 patient had long-term parenteral nutrition. Preoperative imaging was performed with color duplex ultrasound as well as venography for suspected central vein stenosis. A surgical microscope was used to create an end-to-side anastomosis between the brachial vein (medial, if possible) and artery. No minimum vein diameter was required. Postoperative color duplex ultrasound imaging was scheduled at 1 month. Second-stage superficialization was performed 2 to 3 months later with tunnelization and a new arteriovenous anastomosis. RESULTS: For the 64 patients, cumulative primary patency rates (± standard deviation [SD]) at 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, and 4 years were 50% (±7%), 42% (±7%), 37% (±8%), and 27% (±11%), respectively. Primary assisted patency rates (±SD) at 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, and 4 years were 60% (±6%), 51% (±7%), 45% (±7%), and 37% (±9%), respectively. Secondary patency rates (±SD) at 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, and 4 years were 60% (±6%), 53% (±7%), 53% (±7%), and 45% (±8%), respectively. Early complications included thrombosis, nonmaturation, and upper arm edema. At the second stage (n = 50), four patients presented with unexplained major fibrosis extending cephalad from the first surgical site and preventing any dissection of the vein. Four patients had more usual complications (one nonmaturation, two occlusions of the brachial vein at the previous arteriovenous graft-vein anastomosis), and two were lost to follow-up. Vein transposition in a subcutaneous tunnel was technically unfeasible in eight patients. Of the 64 patients, 40 (62%) had a functional BrVT that was cannulated for effective dialysis after a median interval of 72 days (15-420 days) from the first stage. Mean cumulative secondary patency rates (from first cannulation) at 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years were 91% ± 5%, 72% ± 8%, and 62% ± 10%, respectively. Overall, 13 patients were lost to follow-up. Secondary complications were low flow and central vein occlusion. Long-term complications were related to stenosis and thrombosis, aneurysms, and puncture site necrosis. Median follow-up from the first stage was 1.62 years (0.02-11.3 years). CONCLUSIONS: Despite many pitfalls for the surgeon, BrVT offers promising long-term patency.

Arteriovenous access ischemic steal (AVAIS) in haemodialysis: a consensus from the Charing Cross Vascular Access Masterclass 2016.

Arteriovenous access ischaemic steal (AVAIS) is a serious and not infrequent complication of vascular access. Pathophysiology is key to diagnosis, investigation and management. Ischaemia distal to an AV access is due to multiple factors. Clinical steal is not simply blood diversion but pressure changes within the adapted vasculature with distal hypoperfusion and resultant poor perfusion pressures in the distal extremity. Reversal of flow within the artery distal to the AV access may be seen but this is not associated with ischaemia in most cases.Terminology is varied and it is suggested that arteriovenous access ischemic steal (AVAIS) is the preferred term. In all cases AVAIS should be carefully classified on clinical symptoms as these determine management options and allow standardisation for studies.Diabetes and peripheral arterial occlusive disease are risk factors but a 'high risk patient' profile is not clear and definitive vascular access should not be automatically avoided in these patient groups.Multiple treatment modalities have been described and their use should be directed by appropriate assessment, investigation and treatment of the underlying pathophysiology. Comparison of treatment options is difficult as published studies are heavily biased. Whilst no single technique is suitable for all cases of AVAIS there are some that suit particular scenarios and mild AVAIS may benefit from observation whilst more severe steal mandates surgical intervention.

Narrow elastic disposable tourniquet (Hemaclear®) vs. traditional wide pneumatic tourniquet for creation or revision of hemodialysis angioaccesses.

PURPOSE: To choose the best arterial tourniquet for angioaccess surgery. METHODS: Preventive hemostasis with an arterial tourniquet prevents bleeding and provides better visualization. The surgeon may currently use a traditional wide nonsterile inflatable pneumatic cuff after exsanguination with an Esmarch bandage or a disposable sterile narrow elastic silicone ring (HemaClear®), available in different sizes according to the patient's limb circumference and blood pressure. RESULTS: The latter is easily rolled up the upper limb after surgical draping, to achieve exsanguination and occlusion of the proximal brachial artery, thus providing a wide sterile field that is most useful for upper arm vein superficialization or arteriovenous fistula (AVF) revision. Although rare, neurological complications must be prevented by limiting the compressive force applied to the tissues to occlude the arteries and the veins. Such tissues are almost non-compressible but deformable; thus, they may be elongated and damaged, mostly at both extremities of the tourniquet, especially the nerves. The compressive force (kg) applied to the limb by the cuff is the product of the cuff pressure (mm Hg) imposed and the surface (cm²) of the skin in contact with the cuff. Reduction of the cuff surface results in reduction of the volume of tissue beneath the cuff and therefore in limitation of the compressive force. CONCLUSIONS: From a theoretical point of view and from clinical data, it seems therefore reasonable to recommend the use of a narrower cuff size and, for practical reasons, the silicon ring.

Access flow reduction for cardiac failure.

High-flow in hemodialysis arteriovenous angioaccesses is frequent. It may result in high-output cardiac failure, which should be prevented by fistula flow reduction. The most frequently reported flow reduction procedure is banding but immediate and long-term results are questionable. Alternative techniques are related here with personal results. Juxta-anastomosis "Proximal Radial Artery Ligation" (PRAL) is a very simple and effective reduction technique for side-to-end radio-cephalic fistulas (82 patients; reduction rate [RR]: 54% ± 19%). For brachial artery-based fistulas flow reduction two variants of Revision Using Distal Inflow (RUDI) procedures are used: 1) RUDI-1 using a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) graft or a greater saphenous vein, which we first described in 1989 as "Distal Report of the Arterial Inflow" (35 patients; RR: 53% ± 18%), 2) RUDI-2 procedure, "Transposition of the Radial Artery", which we described in 2009 (47 patients; RR: 66% ± 14%).

Transposition, elevation, lipectomy and V-Wing for easy needling.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to report surgical techniques to facilitate cannulation of deep matured veins. METHODS AND RESULTS: 1) Basilic vein tunnel superficialization with rerouting in an anterior tunnel is mandatory for brachial-basilic arteriovenous fistula (AVF), mostly performed in a second surgical stage. The elevation technique, which could necessitate cannulation of the vein through the overlying scar, is not advisable. 2) Femoral vein superficialization is a one-stage surgical operation. Complications of this high-flow AVF are distal ischemia (diabetes and occlusive arterial disease are contraindications), iliac vein stenosis due to intimal hypertrophy and cardiac issues. Nevertheless, we have achieved high long-term patency rates (N = 70). Primary patency rates at 1 and 9 years were 91% ± 4% and 45% ± 11%, respectively. Secondary patency rates at 1 and 9 years were 84% ± 5% and 56% ± 9%, respectively. 3) Lipectomy for superficialization of the forearm radial-cephalic AVF is described for obese patients. Subcutaneous tissues are resected using two transverse incisions. Mobilization of the vein is avoided. At 3 years (N = 49), we recorded 63% ± 8% and 88% ± 7% primary and secondary patency rates, respectively. Anterior transposition of the forearm basilic vein is not necessary when using microsurgery for creation of distal ulno-basilic AVF. 4) VWING is a novel surgically implanted device to help buttonhole technique cannulation. It is too early to draw any conclusion from the preliminary published reports. CONCLUSIONS: Tunnel-transposition and lipectomy are efficient techniques to allow easy needling of deeply situated upper-arm basilic vein, and cephalic vein in obese patients, respectively.

Tips and tricks in creation of forearm arteriovenous fistulae.

Forearm arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is a direct anastomosis between the radial artery and the cephalic vein or the ulnar artery and the basilic vein, which are small-caliber vessels. The surgical technique must be precise to avoid postoperative stenosis of the anastomosis which may result in early thrombosis or nonmaturation. In our experience, microsurgery and preventive hemostasis are two major contributions to creation of forearm AVF. Using these techniques, construction of a radial-cephalic fistula was possible in 78% of children in our hospital, with 60% secondary patency rates at 4 years. In a personal unpublished series, 69% of the first arteriovenous angioaccess of adult patients were forearm fistulae, with 63% and 91% primary and secondary 1-year patency rates, respectively. Finally, 68% primary patency and 96% secondary patency rates at 1 year were reported by Pirozzi et al. in adults with an internal diameter of <1.6 mm in the radial artery.

Amplatzer vascular plug for occlusion or flow reduction of hemodialysis arteriovenous access.

OBJECTIVE: Use of the Amplatzer vascular plug (AVP; St. Jude Medical Inc, St. Paul, Minn) for percutaneous occlusion of a hemodialysis arteriovenous access (AVA) is an emerging practice, and only a few reports by radiologists have been published. We report here a multidisciplinary experience of this technique not only for AVA occlusion but also for flow reduction in selected patients. METHODS: This preliminary study includes a series of 20 plugs of different generations (I, II, and IV) used in 19 hemodialysis patients (two children, 17 adults). Of these, 15 AVAs were autologous fistulas located at the elbow, 4 were autologous forearm fistulas, and 1 was a brachial-basilic polytetrafluoroethylene graft. AVP deployment was through a 4F to 8F sheath, with oversizing from 30% to 50% to reduce the risk of migration. AVA occlusion (n = 14), by placing the AVP in the vein at its origin, was performed for central vein occlusion after unsuccessful percutaneous recanalization (n = 4), high flow (n = 2), hand ischemia (n = 3), successful kidney transplant (n = 1), and brachial-basilic or brachial-brachial fistula second-stage superficialization technical failure (n = 4). Vein/polytetrafluoroethylene grafts were not removed. AVA flow reduction (n = 6), by placing the AVP in the radial artery, was performed for well-tolerated high flow (n = 3) or high flow associated with distal ischemia (n = 3). All patients underwent a postoperative evaluation at 6-month intervals that included a clinical examination and duplex scan. RESULTS: AVA occlusion or flow reduction was successfully achieved in all patients. Ischemia persisted in one patient and a revascularization with a distal bypass was necessary. Mean follow-up was 1.2 ± 0.8 years (range, 2 months-2.9 years). No plug migration, access revascularization, or other complication was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this short preliminary study suggest that plug insertion for occlusion or for flow reduction in a hemodialysis AVA constitutes a reasonable alternative to coil insertion or to open surgery in selected patients.

Long-term results of femoral vein transposition for autogenous arteriovenous hemodialysis access.

INTRODUCTION: When all access options in the upper limbs have been exhausted, an autogenous access in lower limb is a valuable alternative to arteriovenous grafts. We report our experience of transposition of the femoral vein (tFV). METHODS: From June 1984 to June 2011, 70 patients underwent 72 tFV in two centers (Paris and Meknès) with the same technique. All patients had exhausted upper arm veins or had central vein obstructions. Patients were followed by serial duplex scanning. All complications were recorded and statistical analysis of patency was performed according to intention to treat using the life-table method. RESULTS: The mean interval between initiation of dialysis and creation of the tFV was 10 years. The sex ratio was even (one female/one male). Mean age was 48 years (range, 1-84 years), and there were no postoperative infections. Duplex measurements in 33 patients indicated high-flow: mean = 1529 ± 429 mL/min; range, 700-3000 mL/min. Two immediate failures were observed and four patients were lost to follow-up soon after the access creation. Ten patients (14%) experienced minor complications (hematoma, five; lymphocele, one; delayed wound healing, two; distal edema, two) and 30 patients (42%) experienced mild complications (femoral vein and outflow stenosis, 16 [treated by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, 13, or polytetrafluoroethylene patch, three]; puncture site complications, three [ischemia, two; infection, one]; reversible thrombosis, three [two surgical and one percutaneous thrombectomy]; abandoned thrombosis, eight [11%] after a mean patency of 8.1 years). Thirteen patients (18%) experienced major complications necessitating fistula ligation (ischemic complications, five diabetic patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease [one major amputation included]; lower leg compartment syndrome, one; acute venous hypertension, two; secondary major edema, two; high-output cardiac failure, one; bleeding, two). All the patent accesses (59/72) were utilized for dialysis after a mean interval of 2 ± 1 months (range, 1-7 months) resulting in an 82% success rate. According to life-table analysis, the primary patency rates at 1 and 9 years were 91% ± 4% and 45% ± 11%, respectively. The secondary patency rates at 1 and 9 years were 84% ± 5% and 56% ± 9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Femoral vein transposition in the lower limb is a valuable alternative to arteriovenous grafts in terms of infection and long-term patency. Secondary venous percutaneous angioplasties may be necessary. High flow rates are frequently observed and patient selection is essential to avoid ischemic complications.

Aneurysmal degeneration of the donor artery after vascular access.

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study analyzed the characteristics, potential risks, and therapeutic options of true aneurysms of the donor artery in arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) for dialysis access. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data of patients with aneurysmal degeneration (AD) after AVF creation from surgeons who were members of the French Society for Vascular Access, treated from January 2006 to May 2011. The study excluded patients with pseudoaneurysms. Patient demographics, type of access, aneurysm characteristics, symptoms, treatment, and follow-up were recorded. RESULTS: Seven men and three women (mean age, 38.1 ± 5.3 years) were identified with AD (mean diameter, 44.5; range, 24-80 mm) Mean duration of access was 83.6 ± 48.8 months. Diagnosis of AD was at 117.5 ± 53.8 months after access creation. The initial access was radiocephalic, six; ulnobasilic, one; brachiocephalic, two; and brachiobasilic, one. Three patients had two successive accesses: one brachioaxillary polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) graft and two proximalizations of a failed radiocephalic AVF. Symptoms were pain and swelling, four; pain related to total thrombosis without signs of ischemia, two; median nerve compression, two; pain related to contained rupture, one; and subacute ischemia due to embolic occlusion of both radial and interosseous arteries, one. AD location was brachial, seven; axillary, one; radial, one; and ulnar, one. Eight patients underwent surgical aneurysm excision associated with interposition bypass using great saphenous vein, two; basilic vein, one; PTFE, three; Dacron, one; and allograft, one. Two patients needed secondary PTFE bypass because of progression of AD to the inflow artery and dilatation of the venous bypass. With a mean follow-up of 20.3 ± 17 months, all bypasses but one remained patent. CONCLUSIONS: AD is a rare but significant complication of vascular access. Surgical correction should be discussed in most cases due to potential complications. After resection, the choice of reconstructive conduit is not straightforward.

Placement of wrist ulnar-basilic autogenous arteriovenous access for hemodialysis in adults and children using microsurgery.

OBJECTIVES: The distal basilic forearm vein is frequently preserved and might be used more frequently for placement of an ulnar-basilic autogenous arteriovenous access (UB-AAVA) in the wrist despite the small size of the two vessels. The scarcity of publications led us to initiate a prospective study regarding the placement and outcomes of UB-AAVAs. METHODS: Seventy patients (63 adults, seven children) with no usable cephalic vein in either forearm were selected consecutively over 4 years for placement of a UB-AAVA. The prerequisite was a clinically visible or palpable forearm basilic vein after placing a tourniquet. Regional anesthesia, prophylactic hemostasis, and a surgical microscope were used systematically. Secondary superficialization was performed in two patients. Most non-matured accesses were abandoned in favor of the placement of a more proximal autogenous access. Mean follow-up was 20 months (SD =15). RESULTS: Immediate patency was obtained in 94% of adults and 100% of children. Success (in-use access) was achieved in 60% of patients (38/63 adults and 6/7 children) after a mean postoperative interval of 80 days (SD = 64; range, 31-277). Failures included four immediate thromboses, one postoperative death, and 21 never-matured accesses. No steal syndrome was observed. Initial failures included, primary patency rates in adults at 1 and 2 years were 42% ± 6% and 30% ± 7%, respectively; secondary patency rates at 1 year and 2 years were 60% ± 6% and 53% ± 7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although patency rates are not as good as those achieved with radial cephalic-AAVA, the UB-AAVA is an alternative autogenous forearm access before the placement of any other access involving the basilic vein. The use of the surgical microscope is mandatory, and more than usual time is required to achieve maturation.