P1337ENDOVASCULAR REVISION OF ARTERIOVENOUS ANASTOMOSIS BY DOUBLE GUIDE TECHNIQUE
Authors: Pirozzi Nicola , Scrivano Jacopo , Fazzari Loredana , Pirozzi Roberto 
Published: June 2020

Background and Aims

Juxta-anastomotic stenosis is the most frequent complication of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) for haemodialysis (HD). Treatment options are surgical bypass by creating a more proximal anastomosis or endovascular treatment by angioplasty. The available literature data show equal outcomes in term of secondary patency, but a significantly higher rate of recurrent stenosis for endovascular treatment (0.5 procedure/AVF/year). We describe the results of endovascular treatment by “double guide technique” (DGT) as to Turmel Rodrigues original description, in a series of patients referred to our centre.

Method

We describe all consecutive patients treated by DGT in the first semester of 2018 because of a de novo occurring juxta-anastomotic stenosis of the arteriovenous fistula for haemodialysis. The procedure was carried out as described by Turmell Rodrigues. In short: by means of a single retrograde access through the outflow vein by a 6 french valved introducer, two guide wire are navigated into both proximal and distal artery. Two consecutive dilatation of the anastomosis area are then performed including first the juxta-anastomotic vein at 6 to 7 mm (mean 6.7mm, ds 0.55), followed by the juxta-anastomotic artery at 4mm (mean 4.1mm, ds 0.33), as show in figures. Follow up was carried out at 1, 3, 6 12 month by clinical examination and ultrasound examination. Prospectively collected data was analyzed retrospectively.

Results

25 patients were treated during the first 6 month of 2018 by a single operator. Patients data (mean): age 71years, HD vintage 31month, AVF vintage 31month. AVF distribution were: distal radio-cephalic 32%, proximal radio-cephalic 52%, distal ulnar-basilic 8%, humero-basilic 8%. Mean preoperative AVF blood flow - as measured by duplex ultrasound (US) - was 540ml/min. 32% of AVF have preoperative blood flow &gt;600ml/min but a critical stenosis (&lt;1.9mm of diameter). Mean juxta-anastomotic vein and juxta-anastomotic artery ballon diameter were 6.7mm (ds 0.55) and 4.1mm (ds 0.33) respectively. Overall mean blood flow at 12 month was 830ml/min. During follow up 3 patients required endovascular treatment of some new occurring stenosis, 3 patients were lost to follow up at 12 month, 1 patient died from unrelated reasons. In 52% of patients any other revision was required, while 32% required 1 further angioplasty, 4% 2 further angioplasty and 4% 4 further angioplasty of the target lesion during the following 12 month (recurrence rate: 0.28 procedure/patients/year). Assisted functional patency at 12month was 95%.

Conclusion

Endovascular treatment of juxta-anastomotic AVF stenosis by the DGT performed quite satisfactorily in our series and showed a low recurrence on the target lesion compared to data from literature. At 12 month the average AVF blood flow was below 1000ml/min. The technical advantage of the DGT consist in the single, small caliber percutaneous access, needed to complete the procedure. A larger series would confirm how this refinement of the technique compares with the improved results we preliminary observed.