ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Hemodialysis (HD) patients present an increased carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and calcified plaques, and studies have demonstrated that CIMT is predictor for cardiovascular death in this patient population; hence, the importance of identifying early non-invasive markers of atherosclerosis. We aim to propose a new three-perspective CIMT measuring method in HD population, and to further investigate the possible use and value of this method to predict outcomes. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted, the CIMT was measured with duplex ultrasound during the perioperative access planning. Software provided maximum CIMT in a 10 mm (mm) width of the common carotid artery. CIMT was measured in Right (R) and Left (L) carotid arteries, both in anterior (a), lateral (l), and posterior (p) view. The sum of these values (Ra+Rl+Rp+La+Ll+Lp) was completed and termed as Sixth Carotid Intimal (SCI) score. We stratified either in low (summation <4) or high (>=4) SCI score groups. Demographics, patency rates, complications, and mortality were collected; chi-square test was used for our analysis. RESULTS: A total of 30 patients (mean age 49 years and 56% females) that underwent access creation in the upper arm from 2010 to 2016 were selected and studied. A low SCI score was found 19 patients and 11 had high SCI, no significant difference was observed in demographics, history cardiovascular disease, and clinical outcomes as early thrombosis, and primary, primary-assisted patency at 12 months. Interestingly, during the follow up period of 36 months a significant higher difference in late thrombosis rates occurred (63.6% vs 26.3%, p = .044) and a higher all-cause mortality (54.4% vs 15.7%, p = .025) in patients with SCI score group above 4. CONCLUSIONS: The SCI score method, might offer a screening tool for traditional cardiovascular risk factors in HD patients. In this study, we demonstrate an increased rate in late thrombosis and mortality in those with high SCI. Further research is necessary to better define the role of CIMT in vascular surgical procedures.
ABSTRACT
Exhaustion of superficial veins coupled with the presence of intrathoracic central venous occlusions remains a significant obstacle for hemodialysis access creation; complex arteriovenous graft (AVG) configurations have been described. The axillary-iliac AVG was first reported in 1987, and few authors have explored this access. We evaluated our experience with this AVG configuration utilizing the early cannulation (EC) graft Flixene™ (Atrium ™, Hudson, NH, USA). Eight patients (75 % men; mean age 37 ± 10 years) with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) underwent axillo-iliac AVG creation with Flixene™ grafts; all had exhausted peripheral veins, occluded thoracic central veins, and inadequate femoral veins. Inflow from the axillary artery and outflow in iliocaval system was assessed prior to access creation. An axillary-to-common iliac AVG was constructed using a 6 mm (mm) EC graft and tunneled in the chest and abdominal wall. Eight grafts were implanted; all were patent after placement. Seven (88 %) were successfully used for hemodialysis within 72 h and one (12 %) within 96. During the mean follow-up of 6 months, 5 (62 %) patients underwent thrombectomy, 1 (12 %) of them had balloon angioplasty at the vein anastomosis, and 2 (25 %) grafts were removed secondary to infection. The remaining grafts are still functioning. Complications as high-output heart failure, steal syndrome and venous hypertension were not observed. Construction of axillo-iliac AVG with EC grafts in the setting of exhausted veins, occluded intrathoracic central veins and hostile groins, is a viable arteriovenous access alternative while avoiding central venous catheters.
