Arteriovenous fistula between the left vertebral artery and the inferior thyroid vein: a case report

Arteriovenous fistula between the left vertebral artery and the inferior thyroid vein is a rare entity. This condition can change the blood supply of the basilar artery system, and then lead to an abnormal blood supply of the vertebral body. Therefore, this rare condition may be misdiagnosed in the clinic. We report an arteriovenous fistula between the left vertebral artery, which was found during an interventional operation of a 49-year-old Asian man. He was non-diabetic and an ex-smoker, and presented with a 1-month history of pain in the neck, shoulder, waist, back, and right lower limb. Vascular angiography showed an arteriovenous fistula, and coils were placed in the fistula. In this setting, coil embolization was effective, and a 1-year follow-up suggested that a good long-term result was likely.

Coil Embolization of Tributaries of Brachiocephalic Fistula is Effective in the Management of Vascular Steal

BACKGROUND

To determine if an aggressive approach to occlude all or majority of the tributaries of the cephalic vein is effective in eliminating signs and symptoms of vascular steal in patients with brachiocephalic fistula.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review over a 15-month period of all patients managed with coil embolization of tributaries of brachiocephalic fistulae.

RESULTS

A total of 19 patients (11 females, age 65 ± 9.7 years), presented with signs and symptoms of vascular steal. All patients had a brachiocephalic fistula with a 6.3 month average fistula age. Overall, a total of 111 coils were used to occlude 42 tributaries. Two patients had concomitant surgical ligation of 3 tributaries. Postoperative pain at the site of coiled tributaries was reported by two patients. A single patient suffered a major postprocedure complication (delayed hypotension), requiring hospital admission. All but one patient had significant improvement in symptoms of vascular steal postintervention.

CONCLUSIONS

An aggressive approach to coil embolization of all major tributaries of a brachiocephalic fistula is effective in eliminating signs and symptoms of vascular steal.

ASDIN white paper: Assessment and management of hemodialysis access-induced distal ischemia by interventional nephrologists

Although not common, hemodialysis access-induced distal ischemia is a serious condition resulting in significant hemodialysis patient morbidity. Patients with signs and symptoms suggestive of hand ischemia frequently present to the general and interventional nephrologist for evaluation. In order to care for these cases, it is necessary to understand this syndrome and its management. Most cases can be managed conservatively without intervention. Some cases requiring intervention may be treated using techniques within the scope of practice of the interventional nephrologists while other cases require vascular surgery. In order for the interventional nephrologists to evaluate and manage these cases in a timely and appropriate manner, practice guidelines are presented.

Brescia-Cimino AV Fistula Complicated by Steal Syndrome

The Brescia-Cimino AV fistula is most commonly performed and rarely associated with steal syndrome. A case is presented with details regarding its correction.

Use of the distal radial artery remnant for autogenous radial-cephalic wrist fistula after radial artery harvest for coronary artery bypass grafting

Harvesting of the radial artery is a common technique used to provide conduit for coronary artery bypass graft surgery. We report the case of a patient with exhausted left upper extremity access options, history of left upper extremity dialysis access-associated steal syndrome, and prior right radial artery harvest for coronary artery bypass graft who received an autogenous distal radial artery remnant to cephalic vein wrist fistula.

Arteriovenous access ischemic steal (AVAIS) in haemodialysis: a consensus from the Charing Cross Vascular Access Masterclass 2016

Arteriovenous access ischaemic steal (AVAIS) is a serious and not infrequent complication of vascular access. Pathophysiology is key to diagnosis, investigation and management. Ischaemia distal to an AV access is due to multiple factors. Clinical steal is not simply blood diversion but pressure changes within the adapted vasculature with distal hypoperfusion and resultant poor perfusion pressures in the distal extremity. Reversal of flow within the artery distal to the AV access may be seen but this is not associated with ischaemia in most cases.

Terminology is varied and it is suggested that arteriovenous access ischemic steal (AVAIS) is the preferred term. In all cases AVAIS should be carefully classified on clinical symptoms as these determine management options and allow standardisation for studies.

Diabetes and peripheral arterial occlusive disease are risk factors but a ‘high risk patient’ profile is not clear and definitive vascular access should not be automatically avoided in these patient groups.

Multiple treatment modalities have been described and their use should be directed by appropriate assessment, investigation and treatment of the underlying pathophysiology. Comparison of treatment options is difficult as published studies are heavily biased. Whilst no single technique is suitable for all cases of AVAIS there are some that suit particular scenarios and mild AVAIS may benefit from observation whilst more severe steal mandates surgical intervention.

Combined Endovascular Treatment with Distal Radial Artery Coil Embolization and Angioplasty in Steal Syndrome Associated with Forearm Dialysis Fistula

PURPOSE

The present study was performed to define the results of the endovascular treatment with angioplasty and distal radial artery embolization in ischemic steal syndrome associated with forearm arteriovenous accesses.

METHOD

The cases referred to our interventional radiology unit with symptoms and physical examination findings suggestive of ischemic steal syndrome were retrospectively evaluated first by Doppler ultrasonography, and then by angiography. Cases with proximal artery stenosis were applied angioplasty, and those with steal syndrome underwent coil embolization to distal radial artery.

RESULTS

Of 589 patients who underwent endovascular intervention for dialysis arteriovenous fistulae (AVF)-associated problems, 6 (1.01 %) (5 female, 1 males; mean age 62 (range 41-78) with forearm fistula underwent combined endovascular treatment for steal syndrome. In addition to steal phenomenon, there were stenosis and/or occlusion in proximal radial and/or ulnar artery in 6 patients concurrently. Embolization of distal radial artery and angioplasty to proximal arterial stenoses were performed in all patients. Ischemic symptoms were eliminated in all patients and the AVF were in use at the time of study. In one patient, ischemic symptoms recurring 6 months later were alleviated by repeat angioplasty of ulnar artery.

CONCLUSION

In palmar arch steal syndrome affecting forearm fistulae, combined distal radial embolization and angioplasty is also an effective treatment method in the presence of proximal radial and ulnar arterial stenoses and occlusions.

The MILLER banding procedure as a treatment alternative for dialysis access steal syndrome: a single institutional experience

OBJECTIVE

To describe a single institutional experience with minimally invasive limited ligation endoluminal-assisted revision (MILLER) for treatment of dialysis access steal syndrome (DASS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty patients were retrospectively identified that underwent 30 MILLER band procedures for DASS at our institution from March 2010 to December 2014. Technical success was defined by successful creation of MILLER band with preservation of flow for hemodialysis. Clinical success was defined as complete resolution of signs and symptoms with preservation of dialysis access in a 1-month postprocedural period. Primary MILLER band patency, postintervention-assisted primary access patency, and postprocedure secondary access patency are reported.

RESULTS

Technical success was achieved in all patients. Clinical success was achieved in 75% of patients after one banding procedure and in 95% of patients after two banding procedures. One patient experienced access thrombosis following the initial banding procedure which was subsequently treated and did not lead to loss of access. MILLER band patency was 83% at 1 month and 77% at 6 months. Postintervention-assisted primary patency was 95%, 93%, and 92% at 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year, respectively. Postintervention secondary patency was 86%, 68%, and 59% at 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

MILLER banding offers a less-invasive alternative to surgical therapy that appears to be safe and permits preservation of dialysis access.