Effect of far infrared therapy on arteriovenous fistula maturation, survival and stenosis in hemodialysis patients, a randomized, controlled clinical trial: the FAITH on fistula trial

Therapeutic strategies based on non-ionizing radiation to prevent venous neointimal hyperplasia: the relevance for stenosed arteriovenous fistula, and the role of vascular compliance

We have reviewed the development and current status of therapies based on exposure to non-ionizing radiation (with a photon energy less than 10 eV) aimed at suppressing the venous neointimal hyperplasia, and consequentially at avoiding stenosis in arteriovenous grafts. Due to the drawbacks associated with the medical use of ionizing radiation, prominently the radiation-induced cardiovascular disease, the availability of procedures using non-ionizing radiation is becoming a noteworthy objective for the current research. Further, the focus of the review was the use of such procedures for improving the vascular access function and assuring the clinical success of arteriovenous fistulae in hemodialysis patients. Following a brief discussion of the physical principles underlying radiotherapy, the current methods based on non-ionizing radiation, either in use or under development, were described in detail. There are currently five such techniques, including photodynamic therapy (PDT), far-infrared therapy, photochemical tissue passivation (PTP), Alucent vascular scaffolding, and adventitial photocrosslinking. The last three are contingent on the mechanical stiffening achievable by the exogenous photochemical crosslinking of tissular collagen, a process that leads to the decrease of venous compliance. As there are conflicting opinions on the role of compliance mismatch between arterial and venous conduits in a graft, this aspect was also considered in our review.

Advances in far-infrared research: therapeutic mechanisms of disease and application in cancer detection

Far infrared (FIR) irradiation is commonly used as a convenient, non-contact, non-invasive treatment for diseases such as myocardial ischemia, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. In this review, we focus on reviewing the potential therapeutic mechanisms of FIR and its cutting-edge applications in cancer detection. Firstly, we searched the relevant literature in the last decade for systematic screening and briefly summarized the biophysical properties of FIR. We then focused on the possible mechanisms of FIR in wound healing, cardiovascular diseases, and other chronic diseases. In addition, we review recent applications of FIR in cancer detection, where Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and infrared thermography provide additional diagnostic methods for the medical diagnosis of cancer. Finally, we conclude and look into the future development of FIR for disease treatment and cancer detection. As a high-frequency non-ionizing wave, FIR has the advantages of safety, convenience, and low cost. We hope that this review can provide biological information reference and relevant data support for those who are interested in FIR and related high-frequency non-ionizing waves, to promote the further application of FIR in the biomedical field.

The evolving panorama of vascular access in the 21st century

There are three major types of hemodialysis vascular access: hemodialysis catheters, arteriovenous grafts, and arteriovenous fistulas. Arteriovenous fistulas provide the best access due to their reliability and long-term patency. They are recommended by the current Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiatives (K-DOQI) guidelines; however, not all patients benefit from arteriovenous fistulas due to poor maturation or a lack of adequate vasculature. Currently, hemodialysis is initiated via catheters in the majority of patients. Catheters are associated with high morbidity and mortality due to infection, lower quality of dialysis, and the development of central vein stenosis. The varied responses of patients to the different access types exemplify the need to choose the "right access for the right patient" based on scores that can predict death risk and progression of chronic kidney disease. Additionally, vascular access, often referred to as the "Achilles' heel" of hemodialysis patients, represents a significant percentage of the Medicare budget that continues to increase yearly. The purpose of this paper is to review the current literature on the management of vascular access complications and infection treatment and prevention. The paper also explores emerging research regarding the devices and methods to improve access outcomes such as early cannulation arteriovenous grafts, endovascular arteriovenous fistula creation, and regenerative grafts with resorbable scaffolds, among others. The data were collected through literature searches via PubMed, Athens and web search engines.

Bridge of Tunneled Cuffed Catheter as a Risk for Future Arteriovenous Fistulae Failure

Background: A clinically tunneled cuffed catheter (TCC) for hemodialysis (HD) is often inserted into end-stage renal disease patients, who have an immature or no arteriovenous fistula (AVF), for the performance of HD to relieve uremic syndrome or to solve uncontrolled fluid overload, hyperkalemia, or metabolic acidosis. The catheter is primarily regarded as a bridge until the AVF matures and can be cannulated for HD. However, the effect of the bridge of the TCC on the future patency of AVFs remains elusive. Methods: This nationwide population-based observational study compared the hazards of AVF failure and the time to AVF failure. We enrolled 24,142 adult incident patients on HD, who received HD via AVFs for at least 90 days between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2015. The subjects were divided into two groups, according to the history of TCC, and were followed-up until the failure of the AVF, mortality, or the end of the study. A propensity score-matched analysis based on 1:1 matching of age, sex, and baseline comorbidities was utilized to reduce bias and confounding variables. Results: A Kaplan−Meier survival curve revealed that patients with and without a history of TCC had significantly better AVF survival rates (log-rank test; p < 0.001). A history of TCC was independently associated with a higher risk of new AVF or AVG creation due to AVF failure, after the adjustment of the Charlson comorbidity index score (corresponding adjusted hazard ratios of 2.17 and 1.52; 95% confidence intervals of 1.77−2.67 and 1.15−1.99). For the impact of time on AVF failure, patients with a TCC bridge had a significantly higher incidence of new AVF creation during the first year after the AVF cannulation. Conclusion: A history of a TCC bridge was an independent risk factor for AVF failure and the time of AVF failure was significantly higher during the first year after the fistula cannulation in the TCC bridge group.