A Report of Two Cases of Hazards Associated with High Flow Arteriovenous Fistula in ESRD Patients

Single-Institution Learning Curve for Management of Mega-Fistulae Revision

Mega-fistulae are generalized aneurysmal dilations of a high flow (1500-4000 mL/min) autogenous arteriovenous (AV) access which may result in hemorrhage and/or high-output cardiac failure. Current treatment options for mega-fistula include ligation with and without prosthetic jump graft, aneurysmorrhaphy, aneurysmectomy with vein transposition, and imbrication. These options may not be suitable for advanced disease; may leave the patient without working AV access, poor cosmetic results, and possible recurrence. We describe our early experience with a technique of complete mega-fistula resection and replacement with an early use prosthetic graft that both maintains existing AV access and eliminates the need for long-term catheter placement; including lessons learned.