Aneurysm Formation and Infection in AV Prosthesis

In contrast to autogenous arteriovenous (AV) fistulae where true aneurysms are the most frequent type, aneurysms in prosthetic AV grafts are mostly false aneurysms and less frequently anastomotic ones. Indications for repair comprise false aneurysms exceeding twofold the graft diameter, those with rapid enlargement or with skin thinning or erosion, the ruptured, those causing pain or severely limiting the cannulable area and the infected ones. They can be managed either with conventional surgery or with endovascular techniques; However, conventional surgery represents the current standard treatment consisting of either aneurysm resection and interposition graft in situ or resection/exclusion and bypass via a new route to avoid a potentially contaminated area.

Role of stent grafts for the treatment of failing hemodialysis accesses

Covered stents or stent grafts are exciting new products with multiple applications for patients with vascular disease, including hemodialysis access-related complications. Although most of the current uses of stent grafts in these settings are "off-label" (ie, not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration) several studies are currently underway to provide the necessary data to support their application. It is clear that stent grafts provide a rapid, effective means for endovascular repair of ruptured access vessels. The commercially available devices and their current applications for treating access-related complications, including aneurysms/pseudoaneurysms, venous outflow stenoses, cephalic arch lesions, ruptures, and diffuse access stenoses, will be reviewed in this article. Available data are reported along with our current clinical practice and algorithms.

Technique for a Single-Time Correction of Arteriovenous Fistula Aneurysm in Conjuction with Creation of a New Venous Drainage Pathway

Aneurysm and stenosis are among the most frequent complications of an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) for hemodialysis. The occurrence of the two kinds of problem may be found in one and the same patient, affecting the use of the AVF and even rendering its use impossible. We report the technique used for correction of a patient's aneurysmal dilations of radio-cephalic AVF and stenosis after the aneurysmal segment, with an increase in post-punction bleeding during the hemodialysis sessions. This was treated with resection and aneurysmorrhaphy associated with the preparation of a new anastomosis with the brachial vein.

Correção cirúrgica de aneurismas saculares de fístula arteriovenosa para hemodiálise utilizando a técnica de aneurismorrafia

Uma das complicações mais frequentes da fístula arteriovenosa (FAV) para hemodiálise é o desenvolvimento de um aneurisma. A formação de aneurismas geralmente decorre de um enfraquecimento da parede venosa devido às repetidas punções, e sua rotura causa hemorragia intensa que pode levar à morte. Descrevemos o caso de uma paciente com dois aneurismas saculares de FAV, tratados através de aneurismorrafia, detalhando a técnica cirúrgica utilizada e a evolução pós-operatória. A técnica de rafia simples da parede constitui uma boa alternativa no reparo da parede da FAV quando o aneurisma é de curta extensão, evitando a colocação de um material protético e a confecção de duas anastomoses.

Minimally invasive application of thrombin in the treatment of pseudoaneurysms following open aortic surgery

BACKGROUND

Anastomotic leaks are uncommon complications following aortic surgery. To avoid the morbidity associated with a second surgical procedure, minimally invasive techniques have become increasingly popular.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the feasibility and safety of thrombin in interventional treatment of postoperative pseudoaneurysms.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

CT-guided percutaneous injection was chosen in four cases. Endovascular access using an occlusion balloon catheter placed in the orifice of the pseudoaneurysm was utilized in one case.

RESULTS

The average volume of all pseudoaneurysms was 178 ± 190 mL with a volume of the patent lumen of 25 ± 28 mL. All aneurysms thrombosed after injection of 600 ± 237 IU of thrombin. During the follow-up period of an average of 10 months all pseudoaneurysms remained occluded.

CONCLUSION

Our series demonstrates the feasibility of thrombin in the treatment of aortic anastomotic pseudoaneurysms. In combination with occlusion balloon catheters, even wide-necked pseudoaneurysms may be treated successfully. However, further investigations are warranted.

Review of central venous disease in hemodialysis patients

A common problem in the management of patients who are undergoing hemodialysis is central venous occlusive disease. There has been extensive literature on the treatment of this important and prevalent problem. Treatment options to date include percutaneous balloon angioplasty, bare metal stents, and surgical bypass. Unfortunately, all the available treatment options have poor long-term patency, requiring repeated interventions. More recently, covered stents have been mentioned in the literature for the treatment of central venous stenosis and obstruction. There are very few data to date on this technology, and further randomized controlled trials will be needed to compare the efficacy of percutaneous balloon angioplasty, bare metal stents, and covered stents. It appears that it is of paramount importance to prevent this difficult problem by limiting access to, or intervention in, the central venous system.