Vascular access of last resort

The Alpha to Omega of Dialysis Access: Arteriovenous Fistula and Graft (Part 1)

Background: Vascular access is a critical determinant of hemodialysis efficacy in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). The choice between arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) and arteriovenous grafts (AVGs) influences long-term dialysis outcomes, with AVFs offering superior patency but higher maturation failure rates and AVGs providing immediate usability at the expense of increased complications. Recent advancements in endovascular techniques and biomaterials have introduced novel approaches to optimizing vascular access. Purpose: This review examines the latest evidence on AVF and AVG creation, focusing on factors affecting maturation, long-term patency, and emerging minimally invasive techniques, such as percutaneous AVF creation, to enhance hemodialysis access outcomes. Research Design: A systematic review of current literature, clinical guidelines, and innovations in vascular access for dialysis patients was conducted. Emphasis was placed on comparative effectiveness studies, patency and complication rates, and new endovascular approaches. Study Sample: Data were sourced from clinical trials, registry reports, and systematic reviews evaluating AVF and AVG outcomes, as well as emerging endovascular fistula technologies. Data Collection and/or Analysis: Key parameters such as patency rates, infection rates, thrombosis incidence, and maturation success were analyzed. Particular attention was given to procedural innovations, including bioengineered grafts and percutaneous fistula creation, assessing their impact on long-term dialysis access viability. Results: AVFs maintain superior long-term patency but are hindered by primary failure rates, necessitating interventions for maturation. AVGs, while more prone to infection and thrombosis, offer a viable alternative when native vessels are unsuitable. Endovascular AVF creation has demonstrated high technical success and promising long-term outcomes, reducing the need for traditional surgical approaches. Advances in biomaterials and adjunctive pharmacologic therapies may further improve vascular access durability. Conclusions: Individualized vascular access planning remains essential to optimizing hemodialysis outcomes. The evolution of minimally invasive techniques, coupled with improved patient selection criteria and emerging biomaterials, offers new opportunities for enhancing dialysis access longevity. Future research should focus on refining endovascular approaches and integrating novel technologies to minimize complications and improve access patency.

The Tunnelled Atrial Catheter: A Promising Solution for Vascular Capital Depletion in Dialysis despite Associated Thrombi

Introduction

Longer survival in dialysis led to a higher incidence of vascular access complications and failure. With the limited access to kidney transplantation programs and peritoneal dialysis, exhaustion of vascular access for hemodialysis is an increasingly common situation. Among the available options, atrial tunneled dialysis catheter (ATDC) has been reported as an effective vascular access in this population. Methodology. We report the experiences of two nephrology centers in Tunis with ATDC as an ultimate vascular access for dialysis. Case Reports. Two patients with exhausted vasculature underwent ATDC insertion in 2020 and 2022, respectively, as a vascular access of last resort. Both patients underwent CRBI, which resolved with favorable outcomes. One case was complicated by post-operative thrombosis and was successfully treated with thrombolysis. Both patients are currently on dialysis via their ATDC with a catheter patency of 29 months.

Conclusion

ATDC is a life-saving and safe vascular access in cases of depleted vasculature. Little more than 50 cases have been reported in the literature during the last 30 years. As the frequency of vasculature exhaustion is expected to increase, preservation of veinous access in patients at risk of chronic kidney disease have never been more crucial.

Renal replacement therapy via popliteal vein for exhausted vascular access in emergency: A case report

A 59 year-old man was admitted as his left antecubital arterio-venous fistula was thrombosed, and hemodialysis could not be succeeded for the last two sessions. It was a brachio-basilic fistula without transposition, which also required thrombectomy 8 months ago, and had been created 18 months before. He had multiple catheter insertions during the period of 6 years. Following the failed catheter insertions from both jugular and femoral veins, an ultrasound-guided venography via the left popliteal vein demonstrated the intact left popliteal and femoral vein with well-developed collaterals at the level of occluded left iliac vein. A temporary hemodialysis catheter was placed through the popliteal vein with an antegrade manner under ultrasound guidance in prone position, which effectively worked during hemodialysis sessions afterwards. Transposition of basilic vein was performed. Following the wound recovery, arterialized basilic vein has started to be used effectively for hemodialysis, and the popliteal catheter was displaced.

Tunneled femoral dialysis catheter: Practical pointers

One of the most challenging aspects of providing end-stage kidney disease care is to achieve adequate long-term access to the bloodstream to support hemodialysis (HD) therapy. Although upper extremity arteriovenous fistula remains the vascular access of choice for patients on HD, complications such as central venous stenosis, access thrombosis, or exhaustion of suitable access sites in the upper extremity, ultimately result in pursuing vascular access creation in the lower extremity. The current review focuses on the indications, contraindications, and clinically relevant practical procedural tips to successfully place a tunneled femoral dialysis catheter. The review highlights some of the prevailing misconceptions regarding femoral catheter placement practices.

Direct arterial puncture for hemodialysis, a neglected but simple and valuable vascular access

Introduction

The purpose of this study is to present the prevalence and effects of direct arterial puncture (DAP) for hemodialysis patients, and to introduce optimal option for the vascular access (VA) in certain hemodialysis patients with poor condition of vascular or cardiac function in a compelling situation.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study. Demographic characteristics and laboratory data were extracted from the health care system. Relevant DAP information was collected by a questionnaire. Case-control matching was performed to compare the hemodialysis adequacy between DAP and other VAs.

Results

A total of 526 patients were selected for analysis by convenience sampling, of which 38 patients relied https://www.baidu.com/link?url=eaDh8Hn-yZGJyDB0_h4zBenKd7qY1yX-KNxO-qU49gktQOGTJJg3slTjIbG095st4hRfprQIHRjfhfeGOZyH73y8tvSUCwMmvWbUhyix2ZKon DAP for hemodialysis. The main reasons using DAP for hemodialysis included the cost of arteriovenous access creation or maintenance in 19(50%) patients and the poor condition of vascular or cardiac function in 14 (39.5%) patients. Some complications of DAP occurred, such as aneurysm or pseudoaneurysm in 16(42.1%) patients, infiltration in 12 (31.6%) patients. Differences in hemodialysis adequacy were not statistically significant between DAP and other types of VA.

Conclusion

In conclusion, DAP can meet the need of prescription hemodialysis, yet it has several limitations. Although the patients in our study were long-term dependent on DAP for hemodialysis with various reasons, we do not recommend DAP as a long-term vascular access if better options are available. However, DAP should not be overlooked to be a supplemental VA for hemodialysis with adequate blood flow and availability for individuals with poor condition of vascular or cardiac function in a compelling situation.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12882-022-02836-1.

Clinical and ultrasound evaluation for hemodialysis access creation

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an emerging global burden with an increasing number of patient's requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT), with hemodialysis being the most prevalent dialysis modality. A functioning vascular access remains the main constrain for an adequate treatment. Clinical and, in some patients, ultrasound evaluation are fundamental for better access planning. Access planning is dependent not only on patient clinical characteristics and preference but also in vascular patrimony. As such, ultrasound evaluation aids in characterizing patient arterial and venous upper arm anatomy and provides information for which access would better suit each patient. Doctors dealing with CKD patients should be familiar with the role of ultrasound and Doppler use in access planning.

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.

Long-term outcomes of anterior chest wall arteriovenous graft with polyurethane

BACKGROUND

Anterior chest wall arteriovenous graft (ACWAVG) is one option for haemodialysis patients when vessels of the upper extremities become exhausted. We report here the long-term outcomes of ACWAVG with polyurethane.

METHODS

From April 2005 to October 2015, nine ACWAVGs with polyurethane grafts were created. We observed patients until April 2019 and evaluated graft patency, interval from operation to first cannulation, and numbers of interventions and complications.

RESULTS

Primary patency rate and secondary patency rate of 6, 12 and 24 months were 55.3%, 33.3%, 33.3% and 77.8%, 55.6%, 55.6% respectively. Mean interval from operation to first cannulation was 3 days. Infection rate and kinking formation rate were slightly higher than previous reports of ACWAVGs with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). However, one patient was able to keep using a single graft for 166 months with multiple interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

Slight disadvantage are seen with patency rate and complication rate in polyurethane ACWAVG compare to ePTFE. However, when early cannulation is required, polyurethane is worth to consider for creating ACWAVG.

Clinical and ultrasound evaluation for hemodialysis access creation

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an emerging global burden with an increasing number of patient's requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT), with hemodialysis being the most prevalent dialysis modality. A functioning vascular access remains the main constrain for an adequate treatment. Clinical and, in some patients, ultrasound evaluation are fundamental for better access planning. Access planning is dependent not only on patient clinical characteristics and preference but also in vascular patrimony. As such, ultrasound evaluation aids in characterizing patient arterial and venous upper arm anatomy and provides information for which access would better suit each patient. Doctors dealing with CKD patients should be familiar with the role of ultrasound and Doppler use in access planning.

Efficacy and safety of recanalization with transseptal needle for chronic total occlusion of the brachiocephalic vein in hemodialysis patients

Background

Whilst there are effective techniques for the recanalization of central venous occlusions, recanalization of chronic total occlusions remains particularly challenging. This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of recanalization using a transseptal needle in chronic total occlusions of the right brachiocephalic vein (RBV) in long-term hemodialysis patients.

Methods

In this single-center, retrospective study, maintenance hemodialysis patients with chronic total occlusion of the RBV were enrolled between February 2017 to March 2019 from West China Hospital of Sichuan University. Refractory lesions were defined as complete vascular occlusions with failed recanalization using conventional techniques. Occlusions were approached using a transseptal needle to penetrate which offers an alternative strategy with firm support force. Patient data, treatment outcomes and patency rates were collected and analyzed to assess the safety and efficacy of the technique.

Results

A total of 16 eligible patients were analyzed. The operation was successful in 13 of the 16 patients and the success rate was 81.25% (13/16). Twelve patients underwent percutaneous balloon dilatation and stent implantation after sharp recanalization, whilst one patient underwent balloon dilatation only. We achieved procedural success in 13 patients without surgical complications, and all of the patients were discharged in a stable condition. The primary patency rates at 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery were 100%, 84.6% and 69.2%, respectively. The primary assisted patency rates were 100%, 84.6% and 76.9%, respectively, and the secondary patency rates were 100%, 84.6% and 76.9%, respectively.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that recanalization of chronic total occlusions to the RBV using a transseptal needle is a safe and effective method after traditional guide wire and catheter techniques fail. It was also found that additional techniques are needed for recanalization in patients with RBV occlusion combined with proximal stenosis or occlusion of the right subclavian vein.

Multicenter Experience with the Surfacer Inside-Out Access Catheter System in Patients with Thoracic Venous Obstruction: Results from the SAVE Registry

PURPOSE

To report the device performance and safety for the Surfacer Inside-Out access catheter system in patients with thoracic central venous obstruction (TCVO) requiring central venous access (CVA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Five sites prospectively enrolled 30 patients requiring a tunneled dialysis catheter between February 2017 and September 2018 in the SAVE (Surfacer System to Facilitate Access in Venous Obstructions) registry. Patient demographics, medical history, and type of TCVO were documented at enrollment. Device performance and adverse events were collected during the procedure and upon hospital discharge. Twenty-nine of the 30 patients enrolled required CVA for hemodialysis. Retrospective classification of TCVOs according to SIR reporting standards showed 9 patients (30%) had Type 4 obstructions, 8 (26.7%) had Type 3, 5 (16.7%) had Type 2, and 8 (26.7%) had Type 1 obstruction.

RESULTS

Central venous catheters (CVCs) were successfully placed in 29 of 30 patients (96.7%). The procedure was discontinued in 1 patient due to vascular anatomical tortuosity. All 29 patients with successful CVC placement achieved adequate catheter patency and tip positioning. There were no device-related adverse events, catheter malposition, or intra- or postprocedural complications. Mean time from device insertion to removal for the 29 patients who successfully completed the procedure was 24 ± 14.9 (range, 6-70) minutes. Mean fluoroscopy time was 6.8 ± 4.5 (range, 2.2-25.5) minutes.

CONCLUSIONS

The Surfacer Inside-Out procedure provided an alternative option to restore right-sided CVA in patients with TCVO.

Simultaneous placement of leadless pacemaker and dialysis catheter in patient with exhausted vasculature

The problem with limited venous access may occur in patients receiving long-term hemodialysis treatment with no possibility of arteriovenous access or in patients with cardiac implantable electronic device-related infection leading to the removal of cardiac implantable electronic device. We present a case report where both situations occur simultaneously. Using recent development in cardiac pacing-leadless cardiac pacemaker-we manage to overcome the vascular access problem. The described case emphasizes the necessity of multispecialty collaboration and gains of new pacing technology in patients who need placement of vascular access for hemodialysis and cardiac implantable electronic device where vascular access is scarce.