The efficacy of paclitaxel drug-eluting balloon angioplasty versus standard balloon angioplasty in stenosis of native hemodialysis arteriovenous fistulas
Authors: Cisneros Clavijo P , Donato M , Ajila J , Garzon K , Escobar F , Waibel A , Villalba V , Imbaquingo D 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
End stage renal disease is on increasing trend and haemodialysis is the main dialysis modality among these patients. Thus, a functioning dialysis vascular access is critical to the delivery of life-saving haemodialysis treatment to these patients. Conventional angioplasty is the first line of treatment; with a 50% of permeability rate (6 months). For this reason, new alternatives are necessary to maintain the access permeability.Hypothesis: Paclitaxel coated balloon is superior to conventional plain balloon angioplasty with decreased re-stenosis of target lesion, improved access circuit and target lesion patency, and decreased number of interventions needed to maintain patency.

Methods
A total of 39 patients were randomized to receive a paclitaxel-coated balloon (n=15) or plain angioplasty balloon (n=24) after satisfactory angioplasty with a high-pressure balloon. The inclusion criteria were clinical signs of vascular dysfunction confirmed by Doppler Ultrasound and/or angiography. The primary endpoint was target lesion patency defined as time elapsed between the completion of effective and the appearance of restenosis at 3, 6 and 12 months after angioplasty. Secondary endpoints included the relationship between the location of the stenosis, previous angioplasty, demographic variables and survival.

Results
We recruited 39 patients with dysfunctional vascular accesses; 24 were assigned to the conventional balloon angioplasty group and 15 drug-eluting balloon angioplasty (paclitaxel). With demographic characteristics in Table I. In group A, all were autologous acces. Group B 16% (4) of the accesses were prosthetic and 84% (20) autologous. In relation to the type and length of stenosis, group A was more frequent at the level and longer, whereas in group B it predominated in the central type and less than 20 mm.In our study, we also observed a high rate of total occlusions, frequently in central vessels in group B, while in group A, where peripheral vessels were predominant, total occlusion was less frequent. Table II. We had no complications in either group, and dialysis was immediate at the end of the procedure. Group A did not present restenosis. Table III. Table III shows DEB group (15p) with 100% of permeability according to follow-up and only one (1/15) of patients died due to myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular accident and this patient kept lasted 9 months without restenosis In Table IV. Group B had 2 (8%) patients with restenosis so it was necessary to reoperate using a drug eluting balloon and until now there is no restenosis. From this group we do not have mortality. One patient 1 (24%) had a recovered infarction.

Conclusions
Paclitaxel-coated balloon angioplasty resulted in superior survival of dysfunctional peripheral vascular access at 12 meses. Both arms show equivalent complications and similar mortality

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): Enrique Garcés Hospital