Long-term Results of Interwoven Nitinol Stents to Treat the Radiocephalic Anastomotic Arteriovenous Fistula Stenosis.

INTRODUCTION: Juxta-anastomotic stenosis (JXAS) is a common problem afflicting the arteriovenous fistula (AVF). This study aimed to evaluate the safety and long-term efficacy of an interwoven nitinol stent (Supera, Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, CA, USA) in the treatment of radiocephalic AVF JXAS. METHODS: A single-center, retrospective, observational study was conducted of patients with failing AVF due to JXAS treated with an interwoven nitinol stent. End points included JXAS target lesion primary patency, access circuit primary patency, assisted access circuit primary patency, and endovascular intervention rate (EIR). RESULTS: Sixty patients were treated with a Supera stent in the JXAS between February 2014 and March 2020. One patient was excluded (AVF used for illicit drug use), leaving 59 patients (67.8% male, mean age 66.9 ± 11.4 years [range: 40-84]) with typical medical comorbidities. Overall, 45.8% of patients had previous AVF intervention. The stent was inserted with a 100% technical success rate with a mean follow-up of 729.6 ± 456.0 days (range: 5-2182 days). Juxta-anastomotic stenosis target lesion primary patency was 68.2 ± 6.6%, 53.3 ± 7.5%, and 46.2 ± 8.1% at 12, 24, and 36 months, respectively. The EIR was .64 (0-3.29) procedures/patient/year, after which the assisted access circuit primary patency rate was 94.3 ± 3.2% at 12, 24, and 36 month time points. Three thrombosed circuits occurred which were all successfully salvaged with no difference in patency by indication for procedure and no AVFs lost/abandoned out to 3 years. Avoidance of stent post-dilatation and the presence of stent mal-apposition were associated with improved primary patency, and reduced EIR, which may suggest an importance in vessel preparation prior to stent implantation. CONCLUSION: Interwoven nitinol stent treatment of the failing AVF with JXAS results in promising 3 year JXAS patency, with a low rate of endovascular re-intervention for those circuits developing restenosis. All AVFs were maintained over 3 years, demonstrating this treatment allows for long-term radiocephalic AVF vascular access.

Venous cystic adventitial disease: to cure or manage? A case series.

Venous cystic adventitial disease is a rare vascular condition that can have significant effects on a patient's quality of life. The clinical presentation of venous cystic adventitial disease is variable, and there are no established guidelines on investigation or treatment of the disease. We present a series of three patients with venous cystic adventitial disease of the common femoral vein, treated within a single vascular surgery unit. Each of the three patients presented within 18 months of each other, despite the rarity of the disease. These are the only known cases treated within this vascular surgery unit. The investigation, management and treatment of each patient are individualised, with a management focus on quality of life.

Interwoven Nitinol Stents to Treat Radiocephalic Anastomotic Arteriovenous Fistula Stenosis.

PURPOSE: To determine the clinical outcomes in hemodialysis patients after implantation of a Supera stent to treat juxta-anastomotic stenosis in radiocephalic arteriovenous fistulas (AVF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-center retrospective study was conducted of 42 consecutive patients (mean age 66.7 years, range 40-84; 26 men) who had a failing AVF due to juxta-anastomotic stenosis treated with the interwoven Supera stent between February 2014 and February 2018. A third of the patients had previous juxta-anastomotic intervention (either balloon angioplasty or open surgical revision). RESULTS: The stent was inserted successfully in all patients. Overall mean follow-up was 12.2±8.2 months (range 3.8-38.3). Juxta-anastomotic segment primary patency estimates at 6 and 12 months were 92.5% and 59.8%, respectively, with assisted primary patency rates of 97.5% and 92.9%. Reintervention (elective drug-coated balloon angioplasty) occurred at a rate of 0.31 procedures/year. Two AVFs thrombosed during the 1-year follow-up and were revascularized using balloon angioplasty. Ultrasound measurements of brachial artery flow rates increased significantly from 543.5±96.72 mL/min (range 430-644) before intervention to 919.2±355.9 mL/min (range 200-1600) after intervention (p=0.047). Arterial pressures on hemodialysis improved from -142.3±24.9 mm Hg (range -100 to -180) to -123.4±21.9 mm Hg (range -100 to -184; p=0.051). No AVFs were lost or abandoned during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: The interwoven Supera stent is a promising treatment for failing AVFs with juxta-anastomotic stenosis. Encouraging 1-year primary and assisted primary patency was demonstrated, with a low reintervention rate. This treatment facilitates long-term maintenance of AVF vascular accesses.