Costoclavicular Venous Decompression in Patients With Threatened Arteriovenous Hemodialysis Access

Management of thoracic outlet syndrome in patients with hemodialysis access

Patients with threatened arteriovenous access are often found to have central venous stenoses at the ipsilateral costoclavicular junction, which may be resistant to endovascular intervention. Stenoses in this location may not resolve unless surgical decompression of thoracic outlet is performed to relieve the extrinsic compression on the subclavian vein. The authors reviewed the management of dialysis patients with central venous lesions at the thoracic outlet, as well as the role of surgical decompression with first-rib resection or claviculectomy for salvage of threatened, ipsilateral dialysis access.

Surgical Referral for Hemodialysis Access Maintenance

Hemodialysis access is the lifeline for end-stage renal disease patients. However, dialysis access is associated with a host of complications, including thrombosis, recurrent stenosis, infection, aneurysmal changes and bleeding. Although endovascular therapy remains the first-line treatment owing to its less invasive nature, there are certain situations where surgical referral is recommended or even necessary. Regardless, management of dialysis access complications requires a multidisciplinary approach. Interventional radiologists should be familiar with the appropriate timing for surgical referral to better serve the complex patient population.

Venous thoracic outlet syndrome and hemodialysis

Central venous stenotic disease is reported in 7%-40% of patients needing a central venous catheter for dialysis and in 19%-41% of hemodialysis patients who have had a prior central venous catheter. Half of these patients will be asymptomatic. Venous Thoracic Outlet syndrome in hemodialysis (hdTOS) is part of this spectrum of disease. The extrinsic mechanical compression of the subclavian vein at the costoclavicular triangle between the clavicle and 1st rib results in an area of external compression with a predisposition to intrinsic mural disease in the vein. The enhanced flow induced by the presence of a distal arteriovenous access in all patients exacerbates the subclavian vein's response to ongoing extrinsic and intrinsic injury. Repeated endovascular interventions during the maintenance of vascular access accelerates chronic untreatable occlusion of the subclavian vein in the long term. Similar to patients with central venous stenosis, patients with hdTOS can present immediately after access formation with ipsilateral edema or longitudinally with episodes of access dysfunction. hdTOS can be treated in an escalating manner with arteriovenous access flow reduction to <1,500 ml/min, endovascular management, surgical decompression by first rib resection in healthy patients and medial clavicle resection in less healthy patients followed by secondary venous interventions, or finally, a venous bypass. hdTOS represents a complex and evolving therapeutic conundrum for the dialysis community, and additional clinical investigations to establish robust algorithms are required.

A retrospective cohort study comparing high and low balloon inflation pressure on technical success and patency for treating central venous lesions in patients on chronic hemodialysis

Background

We aimed to analyze the success rates and the access patency rates at 12 months between patients on chronic hemodialysis with symptomatic central venous stenosis (CVS) or occlusion (CVO), receiving high or low balloon inflation pressure for treatment.

Methods

We performed a retrospective study in which angioplasty balloons were inflated using a low-pressure or a high-pressure for the management of hemodialysis patients with CVS/CVO. The outcomes of this study were the success rate and the access patency rates at 12 months after balloon angioplasty, and the differences between groups were compared.

Results

We included a total of 74 patients on hemodialysis and assigned them to the low-pressure or the high-pressure groups. Success rates in patients of the high-pressure group (94.12%) were higher than those in patients of the low-pressure group (67.50%) (p = 0.005). With a total of 59 patients with technical success, at 6 and 12 months after angioplasty, the rates of access patency in the low-pressure group were 68 and 48%, respectively; on the other hand, the primary patency rates in the high-pressure group were 86.67% (6-months) and 76.67% (12-months). The 6 and 12 months post-interventional patency rates were higher in patients of the high-pressure group than those in patients of the low-pressure group (p = 0.10 at 6 months and p = 0.03 at 12 months).

Conclusions

Compared to balloon angioplasty using a low inflation pressure, hemodialysis patients with CVS/CVO receiving angioplasty using a high inflation pressure have significantly higher technical success and 12-month patency rates.

Long-term results and patient survival after first rib resection and endovascular treatment in hemodialysis patients with subclavian vein stenosis at the thoracic outlet

OBJECTIVE

Hemodialysis patients with upper extremity vascular access and subclavian vein stenosis at the thoracic outlet can present with significant arm edema and threatened dialysis access that is frequently refractory to endovascular therapy without bone decompression. We have presented our long-term results of first rib resection, followed by endovascular therapy.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of 15 consecutive hemodialysis patients with subclavian vein stenosis treated with first rib resection and endovascular therapy from 2013 to January 2021. The diagnosis was confirmed by ultrasound and venography. Bone decompression was performed with transaxillary or infraclavicular rib resection.

RESULTS

During the study period, we treated 1440 unique dialysis patients. Of these 1440 patients, 346 had undergone subclavian vein angioplasty. Of the 346 patients, 15 had undergone first rib resection and were the subject of the present report. Of the 15 patients, 10 were women and 5 were men. Their mean age was 56.4 years (range, 30-82 years). The most commonly associated medical conditions were hypertension and diabetes. The mean previous hemodialysis duration was 5.4 years (range, 1-13 years). Fourteen patients had preexisting functioning access and severe arm edema. Nine patients (60%) with subclavian vein occlusion had undergone vein recanalization before the bone decompression procedure. Of the 15 patients, 5 had undergone transaxillary and 10 had undergone infraclavicular first rib resection. In addition, nine patients had undergone simultaneous vein stenting, six had undergone vein stenting within 4 weeks, and one had undergone stenting at 13 months. A stent-graft was used in eight patients and a bare metal stent was used in seven. All preexisting dialysis access sites were used the day after the procedure. The average postoperative stay was 2.6 days (range, 1-8 days). No complications developed. The average follow-up was 35.13 months (range, 4-86 months). The freedom from any subsequent intervention was 50% at 10.5 months. The average number of endovascular procedures per patient during follow-up was 4.6. Ten patients had required access surgery during follow-up. Secondary patency was 100%. The median patient survival was 69.3 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Symptomatic hemodialysis patients with threatened vascular access caused by subclavian vein stenosis at the thoracic outlet were safely and successfully treated with first rib resection, followed by endovascular techniques. The procedure resulted in no morbidity and preserved dialysis access function in all patients during follow-up. Our experience has confirmed that excellent secondary patency and long-term clinical success can be obtained with regular follow-up, although with multiple secondary interventions. The median survival of 69 months after the procedure suggests it is worthwhile to expend this effort to maintain the hemodialysis access function of these patients.

Thoracic outlet decompression for subclavian venous stenosis after ipsilateral hemodialysis access creation

OBJECTIVE

Central venous stenosis is one of the most challenging complications in patients requiring hemodialysis. Venous thoracic outlet syndrome is an underappreciated cause of central venous stenosis in patients requiring dialysis that can result in failed percutaneous intervention and loss of a functioning dialysis access. Limited data exist about the safety and outcomes of first rib resection in patients requiring hemodialysis, and the results have been confounded by the various surgical approaches used. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the safety, operative outcomes, and patency of the existing dialysis access after transaxillary thoracic outlet decompression.

METHODS

A retrospective medical record review was performed from January 2008 to December 2019 of patients who had undergone thoracic outlet decompression for subclavian vein stenosis with ipsilateral upper extremity hemodialysis access. The baseline characteristics and comorbidities were reviewed. The operative and postoperative course were evaluated. The survival and patency rates were analyzed using the life-table method and Kaplan-Meier curve.

RESULTS

A total of 18 extremities in 18 patients were identified. Their mean age was 59 ± 11 years, and 89% were men. A total of 13 fistulas and 5 grafts were included. All patients had undergone repair via a transaxillary approach. First rib resection, anterior scalenectomy, and circumferential venolysis were performed in all 18 patients. The mean operative time was 99 ± 19 minutes, with an estimated blood loss of 78 ± 66 mL. The median length of stay was 2 days. No patient had died at 30 days. The survival rate at 1 year was 83%. The primary, primary-assisted, and secondary patency at 1 year were 42%, 69%, and 93%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Thoracic outlet decompression via the transaxillary approach is a technically feasible and safe operation in patients with ipsilateral upper extremity hemodialysis access. Patients with threatened dialysis access due to subclavian vein stenosis should be carefully evaluated for possible extrinsic compression at the costoclavicular junction. These patients might benefit from transaxillary first rib resection, scalenectomy, and venolysis.

Results of Stenting for Central Venous Occlusions and Stenoses in the Hemodialysis Patients

Objectives: We aim to investigate the results of stenting for central venous occlusions and stenoses in the hemodialysis patients.

Methods: Twenty-nine cases treated with endovascular recanalization with deployment of bare metal stent (BMS) for central venous occlusions (24 cases) and recurrent stenoses (5 cases) between 2014 and 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Results of these procedures including success rate, operative time, estimated blood loss, morbidity, primary patency, assisted primary patency and freedom from target-lesion revascularization (TLR) were evaluated.

Results: Nine lesions were in brachiocephalic vein (Occlusion/Stenosis: 8/1) and 20 lesions were in subclavian vein (Occlusion/Stenosis: 16/4). Procedural success was 94% (29/31 cases) and operation time/estimated blood loss was 68±39 min/28±54 g. Symptom were relieved or disappeared in all successful cases. Morbidity (extravasation of contrast medium) was 3% (1/29). During the period of observation, 1 stent fracture with occlusion and 1 stent migration to periphery were recognized. 1-year primary patency, freedom from TLR, and assisted primary patency were 40% (median patent time: 256 days), 67% (median patent time: 524 days), and 77%, respectively.

Conclusion: Stenting for central venous occlusions and stenoses in the hemodialysis patients is safe and durable treatment option. However, considering its off-label use and potential hazard including vessel rupture, stent migration, and stent fracture, the indication for BMS deployment should be conservative, and interventionist should be well acquainted with prevention and measures to these complications. (This is a translation of Jpn J Vasc Surg 2019; 28: 193–198.)

Transposition of external jugular to proximal internal jugular vein for relief of venous thoracic outlet syndrome and maintenance of arteriovenous fistula access for chronic hemodialysis: A new approach

We are reporting a case of venous thoracic outlet syndrome with recurrent subclavian vein thrombosis in the setting of an ipsilateral brachiocephalic arteriovenous fistula for hemodialysis that was malfunctioning due to the central vein obstruction. The patient also had a concomitant external jugular vein origin stenosis. Given her body habitus and aversion to recovery after traditional first rib resection, we elected for an alternative treatment with an external jugular vein to internal jugular vein transposition with balloon angioplasty of the stenosed external jugular origin segment. The goal of this was to provide simultaneous relief of her outlet obstruction symptoms and salvage her dialysis access with a less invasive technique.

Postoperative Pain Management following Thoracic Outlet Decompression

BACKGROUND

Thoracic outlet decompression (TOD) is associated with significant postoperative pain often leading to hospital length of stay out of proportion to the risk profile of the operation. We seek to describe the improvement in hospital length of stay and patient pain control with an improved multiagent pain management regimen.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the hospital length of stay, medication regimen/usage, operative details, and operative indications for all patients undergoing TOD from January 2012 through June 2015. During early experience, single-agent narcotic therapy was the mainstay of postoperatively pain control. Since 2014, we have adopted a regimen consisting of narcotic patient controlled analgesia, oral narcotics, and scheduled ibuprofen and valium, which is transitioned to oral narcotics/valium upon discharge. Operative approach (supraclavicular, infraclavicular, transaxial, or paraclavicular) was determined by patient anatomy and indication for procedure (neurogenic/arterial thoracic outlet syndrome or arteriovenous access dysfunction).

RESULTS

Seventy-four patients were treated with TOD over the study period: 36 (49.3%) for neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome, 23 (31.5%) for venous thoracic outlet syndrome, and 15 (19.2%) for arteriovenous access dysfunction. Prior to 2014, the mean length of stay was 4 days with a median pain score of 6. Since 2014, the mean length of stay was 2.6 (P = 0.04) with a median pain score of 4 (P = 0.005). There was no statistically significant difference in the indication for operation or operative approach between the two periods.

CONCLUSIONS

Since adoption of a multiagent pain management regimen to include scheduled NSAIDs and benzodiazepines, we have reduced the mean pain score experienced by our patients as well as the hospital length of stay.

Angiography of Hemodialysis Fistulas and Grafts

Angiography of the dialysis access is an important procedure in dealing with dialysis arteriovenous access (AVA) dysfunction. It is an integral part and the initiating procedure for all the interventional procedures performed for the management and salvage of dialysis AVA. The performance of this procedure and normal dialysis access-related anatomy including anatomical variants are discussed. In addition, pathology commonly encountered in association with the anatomy is reviewed.

First rib removal and decompression of the thoracic outlet as an indication to facilitate hemodialysis

We present two cases of thoracic outlet decompression performed to facilitate hemodialysis through upper limb arteriovenous fistulas. In patients undergoing arteriovenous fistula formation for dialysis access, venous hypertension is a well-known complication. We used a supraclavicular approach in our two reported cases to remove the first rib to facilitate hemodialysis. Dialysis patients presenting with central venous stenosis should be assessed for evidence of extrinsic compression by the first rib as management options differ from those with central venous stenosis due to an intravenous catheter.

Venous Thoracic Outlet Syndrome as a Cause of Intractable Migraines

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) refers to the compression of the neurovascular bundle within the thoracic outlet. Cases are classified by primary etiology-arterial, neurogenic, or venous. In addition to the typical symptoms of arm swelling and paresthesias, headaches have been reported as a potential symptom of TOS. In this report, we describe a patient with debilitating migraines, which were consistently preceded by unilateral arm swelling. Resolution of symptoms occurred only after thoracic outlet decompression. Patients with migraines and concomitant swelling and/or paresthesias, especially related to provocative arm maneuvers, should be considered a possible atypical presentation of TOS and evaluated in more detail.

Hemodialysis Reliable Outflow device impingement in the subclavian position: a case report

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to report a case of Hemodialysis Reliable Outflow (HeRO) device malfunction in the subclavian position secondary to costoclavicular impingement.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The electronic medical record was reviewed for the patient in question and pertinent imaging was collected and photographs were taken with the patient's consent. The patient presented with signs of outflow obstruction after a period of HeRO venous outflow component function. The outflow component was found to be crushed between the first rib and the clavicle at the costoclavicular junction.

CONCLUSIONS

This case suggests that costoclavicular impingement should be considered as a mode of outflow failure with the HeRO outflow component in the subclavian position. Other central venous access points should be considered first, and the central veins accessed through the lower extremities are possible alternatives if this failure mode was to arise. First rib resection would also be a viable strategy to relieve impingement at this site.

Transposition of cephalic vein to rescue hemodialysis access arteriovenous fistula and treat symptomatic central venous obstruction

It is known that stenosis or central venous obstruction affects 20 to 50% of patients who undergo placement of catheters in central veins. For patients who are given hemodialysis via upper limbs, this problem causes debilitating symptoms and increases the risk of loss of hemodialysis access. We report an atypical case of treatment of a dialysis patient with multiple comorbidities, severe swelling and pain in the right upper limb (RUL), few alternative sites for hemodialysis vascular access, a functioning brachiobasilic fistula in the RUL and severe venous hypertension in the same limb, secondary to central vein occlusion of the internal jugular vein and right brachiocephalic trunk. The alternative surgical treatment chosen was to transpose the RUL cephalic vein, forming a venous necklace at the anterior cervical region, bypassing the site of venous occlusion. In order to achieve this, we dissected the cephalic vein in the right arm to its junction with the axillary vein, devalved the cephalic vein and anastomosed it to the contralateral external jugular vein, providing venous drainage to the RUL, alleviating symptoms of venous hypertension and preserving function of the brachiobasilic fistula.