Treatment of venous outflow stenosis in hemodialysis arteriovenous fistulae using percutaneous transluminal angioplasty: our experience at King Hussein medical center

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the technical success and primary patency of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty as a modality of treatment for outflow venous stenosis in arteriovenous fistulae used as hemodialysis access. This is a retrospective, single center review which was conducted between August 2008 to August 2009, analyzing the results of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty used to treat 49 patients with short segment venous outflow stenosis. Patency was assessed by clinical examination and Doppler ultrasound scanning over a follow up period of one year. The immediate technical success rate of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was 98%. The primary patency at six months, and one year were 83% and 53% respectively. One patient developed rupture of the vein at the site of angioplasty. Six patients died during the follow up period. The deaths were not related to the procedure or access failure. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty is an effective method for treatment of venous outflow stenosis in surgically created arteriovenous fistulae, with excellent technical success, acceptable one year primary patency, and low complications rate