Salvage of thrombosed arteriovenous fistulae of patients on hemodialysis: report on the experience of a Brazilian center

Health insurance provider and endovascular treatment availability are associated with different hemodialysis vascular access profiles: A Brazilian national survey

In Brazil, most hemodialysis (HD) patients are treated by the country's public health system. However, accessibility to healthcare is different for public and private patients. This study aimed to identify the profile of vascular access in a Brazilian HD sample. Additionally, it aimed to examine the influence of public and private health insurance, accessibility to endovascular treatments, and timely arteriovenous access creation on the prevalence of tunneled catheters (TCs), non-tunneled catheters (NTCs), and arteriovenous (AV) access. We conducted a cross-sectional electronic survey across 834 centers. Centers were inquired about the number of patients with public and private health insurance, the profiles of vascular access, time for AV access creation, accessibility to TC insertion and endovascular treatments, and the availability of peritoneal dialysis and kidney transplantation. Logistic regression and multilevel logistic regression were performed to evaluate possible interactions between the independent variables. A total of 7,973 patients across 47 HD centers were included in the survey. Public health patients accounted for 77% of the study sample. The overall vascular access profiles of the public and private insurance groups were significantly different (p < 0.001). For patients with public health insurance, the prevalence of any catheter was 25%, while that for private patients was 31.8% (p < 0.001). The prevalence of TCs was more common in private patients (15.3% vs. 23.1%, p < 0.001). AV accesses were more common in public health patients (75% vs. 68.2%, p < 0.001), as were fistulas (72.4% vs. 63.1%, p < 0.001). AV grafts were more prevalent among patients with private insurance (2.6 vs. 5.1%, p < 0.001). The availability of endovascular treatments increased the chance of having a TC by 2.3-fold (OR = 2.33, 95% CI = 1.30-4.18); however, it did not reduce the chance of having any catheter. A high chance of having a catheter was found when the time to AV access creation exceeded 60 days. The differences between public and private patients may be explained by underpayments and the decreased accessibility to care infrastructure in the public system, especially for endovascular treatments. In this sample, public health patients had a decreased risk of having a TC over an NTC. Differences in care accessibility and insurance type might influence the type of vascular access.

Scoop thrombectomy: A declotting technique for the treatment of thrombosed autologous arteriovenous fistula. A single-center retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Thrombosis is one of the main complications leading to the failure of autologous arteriovenous fistula (AVF) for patients with renal failure. Thrombectomy is one of the major therapies to remove thrombi to salvage the AVF and prolong its patency.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty-six patients with AVF thrombosis at the anastomosis were recruited for this study and underwent thrombectomy procedures. Their clinical variables were collected. The vasculature was accessed at the site of the aneurysmal dilatation. Under ultrasound guidance, a scoop thrombectomy procedure was performed by anterograde and retrograde scooping to remove the thrombus using forceps. Then, a sheath was placed in the direct vertical direction. Angioplasty was performed with a balloon to treat the underlying primary arteriovenous stenosis. Patients were followed up for 12 months after surgery. The procedural success, primary and secondary patency rates, and incidence of procedure-related complications were analyzed.

RESULTS

There were 2 minor (3.6%) and no major complications. Clinical success was achieved in 55 of the 56 procedures (98.2%). No symptomatic pulmonary embolism or arterial embolization was noted. The primary patency rates at 3, 6, and 12 months were 92.9, 83.8, and 73.3%%, respectively, according to the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.

CONCLUSION

Scoop thrombectomy is a safe procedure with high technical success and a low complication rate, and it is an effective method for patients to receive hemodialysis immediately.

Role of Endovascular Treatment in Dysfunctional Hemodialysis Fistulae: A Single Center Experience

Introduction

Arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are the preferred route of hemodialysis in end-stage renal disease. However, recurrent patency loss is an obstacle in long-term maintenance. Endovascular treatments may provide a durable option for prolongation of patency in AVFs.

Methods

Retrospective observational study was done on 46 patients with AVF for hemodialysis in the Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology for a period of 1 year from September 2020 to August 2021. The characters of dysfunctional fistulas and results of various interventional procedures were assessed for technical and clinical success rates. Short-term follow-up records of patients were assessed for post-intervention primary patency (PIPP) and post-intervention assisted primary patency (PIAPP) of various procedures.

Results

The most successful outcomes post intervention were seen in radio-cephalic fistulas formed more than 1 year ago with juxta-anastomotic narrowing. The overall technical success rate was 89.13% with a PIPP of 78.26% and a PIAPP of 82.60% at 3 months. PTA had better technical success rates (88.23%) as compared to dysfunctional segments with thrombosis that underwent angioplasty and thromboaspiration (84.2%). Central venous stenosis undergoing PTA and stenting had a 100% success rate. At 3 months follow-up, PIPP was better among the angioplasty plus thromboaspiration group (73.7%), while PIAPP rate was better in the angioplasty subgroup at 82.35%.

Conclusion

Endovascular intervention is the first-line treatment in dysfunctional AVFs attributable to the multitude of options available, all of which have comparable outcomes, high success rates, and notable short-term patency.