Endovascular recanalization of a thrombosed native arteriovenous fistula complicated with an aneurysm: technical aspects and outcomes

End-to-end anastomosis as a superior repair type to prevent recurrence of arteriovenous fistula aneurysms and improve patency outcomes

BACKGROUND

Arteriovenous fistulae (AVF) complicated by aneurysms are repaired through several mechanisms. Little is known about risk factors for aneurysm recurrence or the efficacy of subsequent repair of recurring aneurysms.

METHODS

About 291 patients underwent AVF aneurysm repair between 2009 and 2019 at a large urban medical center. Patients who underwent staged repair, had a primary graft with pseudoaneurysm, were status-post kidney transplant, or using other dialysis access at the time of repair were excluded. One hundred sixty-two patients were included in the study, of which 52 developed a secondary aneurysm. Chi-square and t-test analyses were used to compare demographics. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine independent risk factors for aneurysm recurrence. Of the 52 patients with recurrent aneurysms, 41 were repaired again. Patency was examined for each group 1 year postoperatively.

RESULTS

Patients without secondary aneurysms were more likely to have a Charlson Comorbidity Index score ⩾5 (p = 0.045). Males were 2.8 times more likely to develop a secondary aneurysm compared to females (p = 0.023). Patients who underwent elective compared to emergent or urgent surgery for primary aneurysms were significantly less likely to recur (OR = 0.222; p = 0.016). Primary aneurysms repaired by end-to-end anastomosis, compared to aneurysmorrhaphy or graft, were significantly less likely to recur (OR = 0.239; p = 0.041). Among patients with secondary aneurysms, those repaired via end-to-end anastomosis had a significantly higher primary patency rate 1 year postoperatively (p = 0.024). Secondary aneurysm repairs exhibited 1-year primary and secondary patency rates of 51.2% and 82.9%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

End-to-end anastomosis reduces risk of recurrence and demonstrates superior patency rates when repairing recurrent aneurysms. It remains unclear why some patients are prone to aneurysm recurrence, however continued attempts to repair existing vascular access are proven to be successful.

Initial experience of thrombectomy using vascular snare with multiple loops for chronic organized thrombi in patients with thrombosed native hemodialysis fistulas

BACKGROUND

Thrombi in native hemodialysis access frequently exhibit chronic organized feature because they have formed over a long period. Removal of these is quite difficult owing to relatively large volume, resilient feature, limitations of the introducer sheath size, etc. In this study, we report our experience using a vascular snare for the removal of these thrombi in native arteriovenous fistula (AVF).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The medical records of patients who underwent recanalization for thrombosed AVFs from January 2019 to August 2023 were reviewed. During the study period, a total of 29 native fistulas (19 brachiocephalic, nine radiocephalic, and one radiobasilic) in 25 patients were treated using a vascular snare with multiple loops (19 men and six women). Characteristics of the AVFs, endovascular procedures, technical and clinical results, and complications were evaluated.

RESULTS

Anatomic and clinical success rates were 96.6% and 100%, respectively. Total thrombosis was observed in 21 (72.4%) fistulas. Aneurysmal changes were found in 22 (75.9%) fistulas. The mean fistula age at the time of the procedure was 60.9 months (standard deviation, 52.2). Thrombectomy was initiated using a vascular snare in 14 fistulas. In 15 fistulas for which the procedures were initiated using a rotational percutaneous thrombectomy device (PTD), a vascular snare was subsequently used because recanalization failed or was insufficient due to chronic organizing thrombi. Additional aspiration and balloon angioplasty were performed in 27 (93.1%) and 28 (96.6%), respectively. Pharmacological thrombolysis was performed in one fistula for long segmental thrombosis combined with arterial thrombosis. The mean procedure time, excluding thrombolysis, was 91.9 min (standard deviation, 55.5). No complications related to the use of the vascular snare was observed.

CONCLUSION

The use of a vascular snare with multiple loops was safe and highly effective for the removal of chronic organized thrombi in the recanalization of thrombosed AVFs.

Recanalization of thrombosed aneurysmal hemodialysis arterovenous fistulas using a hybrid technique based on data from a single center

Objective

To explore the technical specifications and clinical outcomes of thrombosed aneurysmal haemodialysis arteriovenous fistula (AVF) treated with ultrasound-guided percutaneous transluminal angioplasty combined with minimal aneurysmotomy.

Methods

This case series study included 11 patients who had thrombosed aneurysmal AVF and underwent salvage procedures over a 13-month period. All procedures were performed under duplex guidance. Minimal aneurysmotomy was performed, along with manual thrombectomy and thrombolytic agent infusion, followed by angioplasty to macerate the thrombus and sufficiently dilate potential stenoses. A successful procedure was defined as immediate restoration of flow through the AVF.

Results

The 11 patients (four males and seven females) had a mean age of 49.6 years ± 11.9 years. Six patients (54.5%) had two or more aneurysms. The mean aneurysm maximal diameter was 21.5 mm (standard deviation: ± 5.0 mm), and the mean thrombus length was 12.9 cm (8–22 cm). Ten (83.3%) of the 12 procedures were technically successful. The mean duration of operation was 150.9 minutes (standard deviation: ± 34.2 minutes), and mean postoperative AVF blood flow was 728.6 ml/min (standard deviation: ± 53.7 mi/min). The resumption of hemodialysis was successful in all 11 cases, with a clinical success rate of 100%. The primary patency rates were 90.0% and 75.0% at three and four months over a mean follow-up time of 6.3 months (3–12 months). The secondary patency rates were 90.4% at three and four months.

Conclusion

A hybrid approach combining ultrasound-guided percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and minimal aneurysmotomy might be a safe and effective method for thrombosed aneurysmal AVF salvage.

Stent graft deployment in haemodialysis fistula: patency rates in partially thrombosed aneurysm and residual thrombi

Background

Current evidence is insufficient to determine the contribution of stent grafts as treatment in partially thrombosed aneurysms or residual wall-adherent thrombi in arteriovenous fistulae (AVFs) for haemodialysis. The overall purpose of this study was to analyse patency rates of post-interventional covered stent deployment in those cases. We also assessed if patency rates differed when fistulas were punctured through the stent during dialysis sessions.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study between 2006 and 2014 analysing post-intervention primary patency rates using the Kaplan-Meier log-rank test. Multivariate Cox proportional regression models were performed to determine if cannulation within the stent graft area was a potential risk factor for occlusion, by adjusted hazard ratio (HR).

Results

A total of 27 procedures were included in the study. Primary patency rates (%) after stent deployment at 3, 6, 12, 24, 36 and 72 months were, respectively: total 59, 32, 32, 21, 11 and 5; stent puncture 53, 21, 21, 16, 5 and 0; and no stent puncture 80, 80, 80, 40, 40 and 40. Cannulation through the stent graft was not significantly associated with increased risk of obstruction in multivariate analysis (HR = 3.01; P = 0.286).

Conclusion

Stent graft treatment may be a feasible procedure in partially thrombosed aneurysms and residual thrombi in AVF. Although fistulas punctured through the stent presented lower patency rates, this practice was not associated with a higher risk of obstruction. Giving the impossibility of comparing with similar approaches, further studies are needed to confirm or refute the advantages of this procedure.

A promising method for the salvage of thrombosed native hemodialysis fistulas: percutaneous ultrasound-guided thrombolytic injection

Background/aim

It was aimed to describe the technical aspects and outcomes of percutaneous ultrasound-guided recanalization of thrombosed hemodialysis fistulas by thrombolytic injection.

Materials and methods

A retrospective review was performed on patients with thrombosed native hemodialysis fistula who were treated using the percutaneous ultrasound-guided thrombolytic agent injection technique at the interventional radiology department. A total of 17 patients [7 women (41.2%) and 10 men (58.8%)] were included in this study. All of the data, including demographic information and clinical findings, were obtained from the patients’ medical records and follow-up form of the procedure.

Results

The mean fistula age was 5.6 years (range: 1–15 years). The mean diameter of the thrombosed segment was 5.53 cm (2–10 cm). Localization of the thrombi was in the aneurysmal segment at the level of needle insertion in 64.7% (n: 11) of patients, while it was on the venous side of the anastomosis in 35.3% (n: 6). The mean dose of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) used in all of the sessions was 8.88 mg (5–17 mg). Overall technical success after all of the administrations was 100% and clinical success was 94.1%.

Conclusion

Percutaneous ultrasound-guided thrombolytic injection in native hemodialysis fistulas is a rapid, practical, repeatable treatment method that is received on an outpatient basis with low risk of bleeding, and prevents unnecessary endovascular interventions or surgical operations.

Thrombosed native hemodialysis fistulas: Technical and clinical outcomes of endovascular recanalization and factors influencing patency

Purpose:

To evaluate the technical and clinical results of endovascular recanalization of thrombosed native hemodialysis fistula and the factors influencing patency.

Methods:

A retrospective study was conducted with 73 patients who had thrombosed arteriovenous fistulas and were treated with endovascular methods. Patient characteristics, arteriovenous fistula-related characteristics, and endovascular procedures were analyzed. Technical and clinical results and patency rates were evaluated. The factors influencing patency were analyzed using a univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards model.

Results:

Technical and clinical success rates were 93% (68/73) and 85% (62/73), respectively. At 3, 6, and 12 months, the primary patency rates were 87.9%, 73.3%, and 64.8%; assisted primary patency rates were 89.2%, 78.6%, and 70.7%; and secondary patency rates were 90.8%, 87.2%, and 83.1%, respectively. Previous intervention and cephalic arch stenosis were risk factors for lower primary and assisted primary patency ( p < 0.05 for all). Cephalic arch stenosis was the only risk factor for lower secondary patency ( p < 0.05). No major complications associated with the procedures were noticed.

Conclusion:

Endovascular treatment was effective for the immediate recanalization of thrombosed arteriovenous fistula. In addition, previous intervention and cephalic arch stenosis were significantly related to lower arteriovenous fistula patency.

Treatment of the recanalization of maxillary and mandibular arteriovenous malformations in children

OBJECTIVE

This study reviewed our experience in treating the recanalization of maxillary and mandibular arteriovenous malformations in children.

STUDY DESIGN

Four patients with maxillary or mandibular arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) were included in this study. All the patients had undergone multidisciplinary treatment of AVM at least 26 months before our review, including superselective intra-arterial embolization combined with bone wax packing. Computed tomographic angiography and digital subtraction angiography were performed to confirm the presence of recanalization. Superselective intra-arterial embolization combined with bone wax packing and tooth extractions were performed in the patients with recanalization.

RESULTS

After confirmation of the recanalization of AVM by digital subtraction angiography, the patients were treated with superselective intra-arterial embolization combined with bone wax packing and tooth extractions (if necessary). All the patients were followed up for 5 to 14 months, with an average of 9.5 months. The outcome for all patients was good, and no patient complained of pulsatile sensation or hemorrhage after treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

In the treatment for recanalization of maxillary and mandibular AVMs, reapplication of the superselective intra-arterial embolization, combined with bone wax packing, remains necessary.