Physician Made Bovine Pericardial Tube Grafts in Aortic Infection: A European Multicentre Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study examines outcome and durability of physician made bovine pericardial tube grafts in aortic infections in all anatomical locations. METHODS: This was a retrospective and prospective international multicentre study. Peri-operative and long term outcomes of patients undergoing in situ aortic reconstruction for native or graft infections with physician made bovine pericardial tube grafts between January 2008 and December 2020 in four European tertiary referral centres were analysed. The primary endpoint was recurrent aortic infection. Secondary endpoints were persistent infection, aortic re-operation for infection, graft related complications, and death. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty eight patients (77% male, mean age 67 ± 11 years) were identified: 38 (23%) with native and 130 (77%) with aortic graft infection. The thirty day mortality rate was 15% (n = 26) overall, 11% (n = 4), and 17% (n = 22) for native and aortic graft infections, respectively (p = .45). Median follow up was 26 months (interquartile range [IQR] 10, 51). Estimated survival at one, two, three, and five years was 64%, 60%, 57%, and 50%, and significantly better for native (81%, 77%, 77%, and 69%) than for graft infections (58%, 55%, 51%, and 44%; p = .011). Nine patients (5.3%) had persistent infection and 10 patients (6%) had aortic re-infection after a median of 10 months (IQR 5, 22), resulting in an estimated freedom from re-infection at one, two, three, and five years of 94%, 92%, 90%, and 86%. Estimated freedom from graft complications at one, two, three, and five years was 91%, 89%, 87%, and 87%. CONCLUSION: This multicentre study demonstrates low re-infection rates when using physician made bovine pericardial tube grafts, comparable to those of other biological grafts. The rate of graft complications, mainly anastomotic aneurysms and stenoses, was low, while graft degeneration was absent. Physician made bovine pericardial tube grafts are an excellent tool for in situ reconstruction in the setting of native aortic infection or aortic graft infection.

Aortic Vascular Graft and Endograft Infection-Patient Outcome Cannot Be Determined Based on Pre-Operative Characteristics.

Vascular graft/endograft infection (VGEI) is a serious complication after aortic surgery. This study investigates VGEI and patient characteristics, PET/CT quantification before surgical or conservative management of VGEI and post-intervention outcomes in order to identify patients who might benefit from such a procedure. PET standard uptake values (SUV) were quantitatively assessed and compared to a non-VGEI cohort. The primary endpoints were in-hospital mortality and aortic reintervention-free survival at six months. Ninety-three patients (75% male, 65 ± 10 years, 82% operated) were included. The initial operation was mainly for aneurysm (67.7%: 31% EVAR, 12% TEVAR, 57% open aortic repair). Thirty-two patients presented with fistulae. PET SUVTLR (target-to-liver ratio) showed 94% sensitivity and 89% specificity. Replacement included silver-coated Dacron (21.3%), pericardium (61.3%) and femoral vein (17.3%), yet the material did not influence the overall survival (p = 0.745). In-hospital mortality did not differ between operative and conservative treatment (19.7% vs. 17.6%, p = 0.84). At six months, 50% of the operated cohort survived without aortic reintervention. Short- and midterm morbidity and mortality remained high after aortic graft removal. Neither preoperative characteristics nor the material used for reconstruction influenced the overall survival, and, with limitations, both the in-hospital and midterm survival were similar between the surgically and conservatively managed patients.

Patients with Acute Limb Ischemia Might Benefit from Endovascular Therapy-A 17-Year Retrospective Single-Center Series of 985 Patients.

Acute lower limb ischemia (ALI) is a common vascular emergency, requiring urgent revascularization by open or endovascular means. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate patient demographics, treatment and periprocedural variables affecting the outcome in ALI patients in a consecutive cohort in a tertiary referral center. Primary outcome events (POE) were 30-day (safety) and 180-day (efficacy) combined mortality and major amputation rates, respectively. Secondary outcomes were perioperative medical and surgical leg-related complications and the 5-year combined mortality and major amputation rate. Statistical analysis used descriptive and uni- and multivariable Cox regression analysis. In 985 patients (71 ± 9 years, 56% men) from 2004 to 2020, the 30-day and 180-day combined mortality and major amputation rates were 15% and 27%. Upon multivariable analysis, older age (30 d: aHR 1.17; 180 d: 1.27) and advanced Rutherford ischemia stage significantly worsened the safety and efficacy POE (30 d: TASC IIa aHR 3.29, TASC IIb aHR 3.93, TASC III aHR 7.79; 180 d: TASC IIa aHR 1.97, TASC IIb aHR 2.43, TASC III aHR 4.2), while endovascular treatment was associated with significant improved POE after 30 days (aHR 0.35) and 180 days (aHR 0.39), respectively. Looking at five consecutive patient quintiles, a significant increase in endovascular procedures especially in the last quintile could be observed (17.5% to 39.5%, p < 0.001). Simultaneously, the re-occlusion rate as well as the number of patients with any previous revascularization increased. In conclusion, despite a slightly increasing early re-occlusion rate, endovascular treatment might, if possible, be favorable in ALI treatment.

Completing the view - histologic insights from circular AAA specimen including 3D imaging : A methodologic approach towards histologic analysis of circumferential AAA samples.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a pathologic enlargement of the infrarenal aorta with an associated risk of rupture. However, the responsible mechanisms are only partially understood. Based on murine and human samples, a heterogeneous distribution of characteristic pathologic features across the aneurysm circumference is expected. Yet, complete histologic workup of the aneurysm sac is scarcely reported. Here, samples from five AAAs covering the complete circumference partially as aortic rings are investigated by histologic means (HE, EvG, immunohistochemistry) and a new method embedding the complete ring. Additionally, two different methods of serial histologic section alignment are applied to create a 3D view. The typical histopathologic features of AAA, elastic fiber degradation, matrix remodeling with collagen deposition, calcification, inflammatory cell infiltration and thrombus coverage were distributed without recognizable pattern across the aneurysm sac in all five patients. Analysis of digitally scanned entire aortic rings facilitates the visualization of these observations. Immunohistochemistry is feasible in such specimen, however, tricky due to tissue disintegration. 3D image stacks were created using open-source and non-generic software correcting for non-rigid warping between consecutive sections. Secondly, 3D image viewers allowed visualization of in-depth changes of the investigated pathologic hallmarks. In conclusion, this exploratory descriptive study demonstrates a heterogeneous histomorphology around the AAA circumference. Warranting an increased sample size, these results might need to be considered in future mechanistic research, especially in reference to intraluminal thrombus coverage. 3D histology of such circular specimen could be a valuable visualization tool for further analysis.

Can We Still Teach Open Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in The Endovascular Era? Single-Center Analysis on The Evolution of Procedural Characteristics Over 15 Years.

OBJECTIVE: In many vascular centers an endovascular first policy for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) has resulted in endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) outnumbering open aortic repair (OAR). The declining routine in OAR raises the question whether this might influence procedural outcomes and diminish surgical expertise for current and future vascular surgeons. We aimed to analyze OAR outcomes, AAA morphology and procedural details over the past 15 years while an endovascular first approach was successively implemented. PARTICICPANTS AND DESIGN: All patients operated for (i)ntact infra-/juxtarenal AAA between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2019 were identified. Outcome parameters were length of stay (hospital/ICU), in-hospital mortality and medical/surgical complications. Operative details were clamping zone, access and graft configuration. AAA anatomy including neck and iliac parameters was analyzed with Endosize©. Logistic regression, uni- and multivariate analysis were applied. RESULTS: 293 patients received elective OAR for iAAA. Baseline characteristics (age, sex, hypertension, smoking, occlusive disease, coronary disease, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, renal insufficiency and obesity) did not change over time. The number of OAR dropped significantly (-0.5 cases/year p = 0.02). The procedure time (2005-2007: 192.2 ± 87.5min to 2017-2019: 235.6 ± 88.2min; p = 0.0001) and the length of stay (2005-2007: 12.0 ± 7.9 to 2017-2019: 17.0 ± 23.1; p = 0.03) increased significantly, whereas the in-hospital mortality, length of ICU stay and complication rates didn't, nor did AAA anatomy. Upon multivariate analysis, annual number of OAR and any additional anastomosis significantly influenced procedure time, trainee involvement, for example, did not. Hospital length-of-stay depended on patient age (p = 0.002), complication rates (p < 0.0001) and procedure time (p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: Mortality and complication rates for OAR have remained low and constant. With the increase of EVAR, the absolute number of OARs has decreased significantly. However, the total procedure time has increased and depends significantly on the annual number of OARs in total and per surgeon. This might influence outcome parameters and should be implanted in future surgical education.

Biobanking: Objectives, Requirements, and Future Challenges-Experiences from the Munich Vascular Biobank.

Collecting biological tissue samples in a biobank grants a unique opportunity to validate diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for translational and clinical research. In the present work, we provide our long-standing experience in establishing and maintaining a biobank of vascular tissue samples, including the evaluation of tissue quality, especially in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens (FFPE). Our Munich Vascular Biobank includes, thus far, vascular biomaterial from patients with high-grade carotid artery stenosis (n = 1567), peripheral arterial disease (n = 703), and abdominal aortic aneurysm (n = 481) from our Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery (January 2004⁻December 2018). Vascular tissue samples are continuously processed and characterized to assess tissue morphology, histological quality, cellular composition, inflammation, calcification, neovascularization, and the content of elastin and collagen fibers. Atherosclerotic plaques are further classified in accordance with the American Heart Association (AHA), and plaque stability is determined. In order to assess the quality of RNA from FFPE tissue samples over time (2009⁻2018), RNA integrity number (RIN) and the extent of RNA fragmentation were evaluated. Expression analysis was performed with two housekeeping genes-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and beta-actin (ACTB)-using TaqMan-based quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT)-PCR. FFPE biospecimens demonstrated unaltered RNA stability over time for up to 10 years. Furthermore, we provide a protocol for processing tissue samples in our Munich Vascular Biobank. In this work, we demonstrate that biobanking is an important tool not only for scientific research but also for clinical usage and personalized medicine.

Bovine Pericardium as New Technical Option for In Situ Reconstruction of Aortic Graft Infection.

BACKGROUND: Alloplastic aortic graft infection is a devastating complication following aortic surgery. It is associated with excessively high mortality and morbidity caused by anastomotic rupture or septicemia. Many authors consider in situ replacement after complete surgical graft removal as the method of choice. However, there is an ongoing debate about the most suitable material for reconstruction. We present our first experiences with replacing the descending and infrarenal aorta using custom-made bovine pericardium grafts. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From January 2013 to 2015, 13 patients (10 male, median age 70 years, range 53-84) were treated for 5 early-graft infections after open reconstructions and 7 late graft infections (1 TEVAR, 2 EVAR, and 4 open reconstructions), and 1 patient was treated for mycotic aneurysm. Septicemia was evident in 8 patients, whereas 5 patients were presented with low-grade infection. In all cases, graft infection was proven by a synopsis of clinical findings, laboratory tests, imaging, and microbiologic tests (positive pathogen detection in 11 patients). Cutaneous and aortoenteric fistulae were present in 3 and 4 patients, respectively. All patients received an in situ replacement using a hand-sewn xenoprosthesis or patch made from a bovine pericardium sheet. Follow-up was routinely performed 3, 12, and 24 months after discharge. RESULTS: For reconstruction, 4 pericardium tubes, 7 bifurcated grafts, and 2 large patches were implanted in situ. Technical success was 100%. Median length of hospital stay was 44 days (range, 20-136 days), with an in-hospital mortality rate of 7.7% (n = 1). Major procedure- and disease-related complications were temporary (n = 2) and permanent dialysis (n = 1), limb loss (n = 1), and long-term ventilation (n = 5). Complete infection control and initial healing could be achieved in 75% (n = 10). During the follow-up (median 9 months, range: 1-27 months), primary graft patency was 100%, and mortality was 41.7%. We observed 2 secondary ruptures due to reinfection at 4 and 7 months. CONCLUSIONS: Custom-made bovine pericardium grafts provide a good option for in situ replacement following early or late aortic graft infection. Despite of its high biocompatibility, pericardium provides not an absolute protection against ongoing retroperitoneal infection. For the treatment, the principles of septic surgery need to be applied and close follow-up is mandatory.

[Establishment and functioning of the Vascular Registry in Hungary]. / Az Érsebészeti Regiszter muködtetése során szerzett tapasztalatok.

Randomized controlled trials provide the best evidence in clinical trials; however, they do have limitations. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of treatments, population based registries may also yield useful information about the actual practice and they may enable users to carry out a dynamic follow-up. To evaluate the outcome of vascular procedures, the Vascular Registry in Hungary has been established in 2002. This article presents the establishment and functioning of the Vascular Registry and provides information about scientific results obtained during the past years. The Vascular Registry is an internet based database with on-line input. The backup server is provided by the National Institute for Quality and Organizational Development in Healthcare and Medicines. The database collects data in three different fields: interventions for carotid artery, aneurysm (any type) and lower extremity vascular diseases. Twenty five vascular surgical units record interventions in the registry, which corresponds to two thirds of the whole activity. Since joining the Vascunet Group of the European Society for Vascular Surgery, the registry has contributed to several publications based on evaluation of a large common dataset in different fields of vascular surgery. A validation process has been recently performed which confirmed the internal and external validity of the database. The authors conclude that despite unsolved problems related to financing issues, the Vascular Registry has proved to be a useful tool during the past years. In order to take advantage of the registry to its fullest, measures should be taken to achieve a more complete data recording, increase publication activity on the national dataset, improve the flow of information during operation and develop a system of regular feedback.

Late outcome following open surgical management of secondary aortoenteric fistula.

OBJECTIVE: We reviewed the perioperative and long-term outcomes after the surgical management of secondary aortoenteric fistulas. METHOD: Over a 20-year period (1989-2009), 48 patients (33 men and 15 women; mean age, 64 years) were treated for secondary aortoenteric fistulas (SAEF). Most of the patients presented with symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding (42 cases), or of serious septicaemia and general septic conditions (19 cases). Twenty-eight patients (58.3%) required an emergency procedure and were admitted with an unstable hemodynamic status. Repairs were accomplished by graft removal and an axillobifemoral bypass (n = 11), in situ reconstruction with a silver-impregnated prosthetic replacement (n = 21), a Dacron graft replacement (n = 7), a cryopreserved homograft replacement (n = 8) or an in situ deep vein replacement (n = 2). RESULTS: Early perioperative (<30 day) mortality was 45.8%. There was a significant difference in the mortality rates between patients who had an emergency procedure (59.2%) and patients who underwent urgent (38.0%) operations (p < 0.04). The average follow-up period was 48.6 ± 16 months. There were eight late deaths; three of which were related to the SAEF treatment. The cumulative mortality rate was 34% at 3 years. The in situ silver graft replacement group cumulative survival rate was 72% at 3 years. No significant difference was observed in mortality on the complete or partial graft removal. Six late graft failures occurred; four of them resulted in amputation and three of them were associated with a recurrent infection. Freedom from amputation was 76.5% at both 3 and 5 years. Late infections occurred in six patients. Freedom from recurrent infection was 80.8% and 81.4% at 3 years in the whole study group and in the in situ silver graft group, respectively. The infect free rate at 3 years was the same compared the complete or partial graft removal CONCLUSION: The long-term outcomes associated with aortoenteric fistula repair might be favourable when silver-impregnated grafts were used as an in situ strategy. The eradication of infection is possible in mid-term follow-up with partial graft replacement, which associated with a lesser operative load.

Fetuin-A serum levels in patients with aortic aneurysms of Marfan syndrome and atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Fetuin-A is a glycoprotein that inhibits extraosseous and vascular calcification. Its serum level is lower in patients with atherosclerosis compared with healthy controls, but its role is unknown in aneurysmal diseases. The aim of our study was to investigate the association of serum fetuin-A levels with aortic aneurysms of different aetiology: Marfan syndrome and atherosclerosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a single centre cross-sectional observational study, 105 patients (30 with atherosclerotic aortic aneurysm, 15 with Marfan syndrome, 30 with peripheral arterial disease and 30 healthy controls) were examined; sera were analysed for fetuin-A, standard markers of possible inflammation, lipid profile, kidney and hepatic disease and diabetes. Systemic atherosclerosis was assessed by carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) measurement and arterial calcification score of cardiac valves, carotids, aorta and femoral arteries determined by ultrasound. RESULTS: Serum fetuin-A levels (median and IQR) were significantly lower in the atherosclerotic aneurysm cohort than in patients with Marfan syndrome: 708 µg mL⁻¹ (612-780) and 756 µg mL⁻¹ (708-816), respectively, (P = 0·0428). Fetuin-A levels were 754 µg mL⁻¹ (713-777) in the control group and 654 µg mL⁻¹ (600-756) in patients with peripheral arterial disease. Mean and maximum IMT, ACS values and homocysteine levels were significantly higher in patients with atherosclerosis: P < 0·0001, P < 0·0001, P < 0·0001 and P = 0·0034, respectively. There was no significant difference between aneurysm groups analysing the results of lipid profile and acute-phase markers. CONCLUSIONS: The significantly lower serum level of fetuin-A in the atherosclerotic aneurysm group supports the protective role of fetuin-A in the evolution of arterial calcification.

[Mid-term results of silver-coated Dacron graft implantation in aortic and lower extremity revascularization]. / Ezüst-acetáttal bevont Dacron grafttal végzett rekonstrukciós érmutétek középtávú eredményei.

BACKGROUND: Prosthetic graft infection or the need for reconstructive arterial surgery in septic condition is a challenging situation in vascular surgery. Recent introduction of silver coated polyester graft has meant a new therapeutic option in selecting the type of graft for revascularization. In this study we analyzed the short and midterm outcome of using silver coated grafts in aortic and lower extremity arterial reconstructions (mortality, graft occlusion, graft infection, amputation). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a single center retrospective study we implanted 42 silver coated Dacron grafts (InterGard Silver Dacron prosthesis). The indication of silver graft implantation was graft infection in 17, aorto-duodenal fistula in 7, septic condition caused by gangrene in 16 cases and in 2 cases infection was not established. RESULTS: Forty silver grafts were implanted in 40 patients with diagnosed infection. The mean age was 62 years (35-81 years), 70% were men. Long term follow-up data were available in 29 patients; the mean follow-up time was 36.76 months. Early (within 30 days of surgery) death occurred in 3 and late death in 11 cases (8 and 38%). Early graft occlusion was noticed in 8 and late occlusion in 2 cases (20 and 7%). Reinfection was diagnosed in 7% of the cases in the early and the midterm period as well. Eight amputations were indicated in the early postoperative period (5 major and 3 minor) and 28% of the patients required major amputation during the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Silver coated Dacron graft means a valuable therapeutic option with good rate of infection control in the treatment of graft infection and septic condition in the lack of autologous graft material in this high risk population.

[Surgical treatment of acute type-B aortic dissection associated with cocaine use]. / B típusú aortadissectio sebészi kezelése kokaint használó beteg esetében.

UNLABELLED: Cocaine abuse is on a rise in Hungary as well. It is known that cocaine users have a higher risk developing cardiovascular complications, for example aortic dissection. Almost all patients in Hungary suffering from type B aortic dissection are referred to our department for treatment. AIM: We introduce the case of a regular cocaine user, who suffered an acute type B aortic dissection and was treated surgically. To our best knowledge this is the first similar case in our country to be published. METHOD: Case presentation. RESULTS: We performed a successful operation: acute thoracoabdominal aortic refenestration, no complication was detected. The patient is doing well three months after the procedure, returned to his regular activities, he is normotensively receiving medical treatment, and he gave up cocaine. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracoabdominal aortic refenestration can save the life of patients presenting with acute type B dissection. Good long-term result depends on adequate hypertension control and cocaine abstinence. As the frequency of cocaine abuse increases in Hungary, similar cases may be more often encountered.

[Bilateral internal carotid aneurysms]. / Bilateralis carotis interna aneurysma.

The authors discuss the treatment of five patients with bilateral carotid aneurysms and review the relevant literature. During the preoperative workup duplex scan, angiography and CT scan were obtained. The diameter of the aneurysms was in the range from 9 to 40 mm. Treatment plans were largely individualized. Two patients had bilateral and two had unilateral reconstructions carried out with end-to-end anastomosis. One patient was treated conservatively. In one case, a staged approach was chosen due to multiple aneurysms. As a postoperative complication, a reversible stroke was detected in one patient. All patients were followed up (between 3 to 14 years) by six monthly duplex scans. The authors suggest surgical treatment for carotid aneurysms with a diameter above 15 mm, increasing size, thrombotic plaques or neurological sings in order to avoid high risk complications (compression, rupture, embolisation).

[Hybrid solution in aortic arch surgery]. / Hybrid megoldások az aortaív sebészetben.

Since the introduction of endografts, treatment of vascular diseases has remarkably changed. Due to less surgical trauma patients--those were not amenable to open surgery--now have the chance to be treated with remarkably lower risk. At certain segments of the aorta with life important side branches combination of open surgery is needed to get free segment for deployment of endografts. These "hybrid" interventions have opened new horizon at aortic arch surgery without use of cardiopulmonary bypass and deep hypothermia. In selected types of diseases by debranching of the aortic arch and transposition of the supra-aortic trunks we can achieve suitable landing zones to fix the endografts properly. In this paper we provide an overview of the possible solutions.

[Arterial thrombolysis in the lower extremity in vascular surgical practice]. / Alsó végtagi artériás thrombolysis az érsebszeti gyakorlatban.

The acute arterial thrombosis of the lower limb is dangerous not only for the limb, but it can cause life-threatening situation as well. That is why it is important to use different therapeutical modalities as the catheter guided intraarterial thrombolysis, which can reduce the surgical risks. All the drugs used for lysis now days are plasminogen activators. Due to the results of different studies the most appropriate drugs for optimal thrombolysis are the urokinase, the tissue-plasminogen activators and their recombinant forms. There are two major studies dealing with the effect of the different fibrinolytic drugs in comparison of the results of randomly operated patients. Both of these studies (STILE, TOPAS) determined a nearly same efficacy of both methods, operative or thrombolytic (approximately 70% amputation-free survival). Significant difference was observed in relation of occlusion of a native artery or a graft: better results could be obtained with surgery in case of arterial occlusion and conversely, it was in favor for thrombolysis if a graft was occluded. It must be noted that the thrombolysis has to be followed with endovascular or open surgical procedures in most of the cases. On the basis of our experiences and the data of literature we suggest after individual decision thrombolysis in case of graft occlusion, and surgery in case of arterial occlusion as first choice.

[A simple surgical method for removing a large floating thrombus from the ascending aorta]. / Egyszeru sebészi módszer az aorta ascendensben elhelyezkedo nagy, lebego thrombus eltávolítására.

We report the successful surgical removal of a large floating thrombus from the ascending aorta causing systemic embolization. It was diagnosed by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), CT scan, aortography and Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CMR). The free-floating, highly embolic source 2 cm distal to the left coronary sinus was removed from the ascending aorta using a simple surgical technique. Isolated cerebral perfusion with circulatory arrest on normothermia provided a simple and safe access to the thrombus attached to a ruptured atherosclerotic plaque. The patient was discharged on the 7 th postoperative day after an uneventful recovery.

[Role of autologous antebrachial arteriovenous fistula for vascular access in hemodialysis]. / Proximális radio-cephalikus autológ fisztulák szerepe a hemodialízis-kezelés biztosításában.

Numbers of arteriovenous (AV) fistula creation increase worldwide. Hemodialysis is more effective, patients live longer, they need more access operation. The optimal strategy for the order and sequence of the different type and localization of AV fistulas remains obscure. Based on internationally acclaimed guidelines, autogenous access should be performed whenever possible and the first operation of choice is the radio-cephalic fistula at the wrist, the second type is the elbow fistula. The area between the standard exposures means also good access area and its usage is not emphasized properly. At our department the performance of autogenous fistulas have always been favoured. Beside the wrist radio-cephalic and elbow fistulas a significant number of autologous forearm AV fistulas has been operated. Our aim was to study the short and long term results of the autogenous forearm fistulas at atypical anatomic positions. We also examined whether the patency rate is affected by different variables as diabetes mellitus, acute or chronic operative situation, the indication of surgery, the quality of thrill at the end of shunt creation, the diameter and quality of the vein. Between 1997 and 2005 we performed 1018 AV shunts in an academic tertiary care center. 97 autologous antebrachial AV shunts were performed. The average follow up time was 31.3 months. The primary patency rate was 97%, 92% and 63% at the end of the first, second and sixth years, respectively. The patency rate was not significantly affected by any of the examined variables mentioned above. The patency rate of the autologous antebrachial AV shunt is comparable to the wrist and elbow fistulas, so our results support the practice of performing fistula at this atypical localization. More proximal autologous fistulas and prosthetic graft implantation could be postponed, this way valuable time could be saved for the uremic patients.