[Comparing AVF ligature and transvenous endorrhaphy for AVF closure in hemodialysis patients]

ABSTRACT

Arteriovenous fistulae are the principal chronic hemodialysis access in patients with end stage renal disease. There is an increasing number of patients who need AVF closure because of serious complications or renal function retrieval by transplantation. Multiple open and endovascular techniques have been proposed for AVF closure. In this study, we are going to compare two surgical methods and select the preferred one as the standard technique for closure. A randomized controlled clinical trial was designed. 140 patients were randomly assigned into two matched groups. 70 patients underwent AVF ligature and the other 70 subjects underwent transvenous endorrhaphy. Each patient was followed for at least 6 months to monitor surgical results. Of 140 patients, 26 [18.6%] AVF closures were failed during 6 months of follow up. Of 26 failed cases, 24 had undergone AVF ligature. Thrill recurrence and closure failure was 37.1% in the ligature group and 2.9% in the endorrhaphy group. Transvenous endorrhaphy is associated with better AVF closure results. Therefore, we recommend this procedure as the standard technique of AVF closure