#865 Autologous cephalic vein transposition in the placement of forearm arteriovenous fistulas

Abstract

Abstract Background and Aims The autologous vein transposition was commonly used for hemodialysis vascular access (VA) in selected patient. The saphenous vein was used as a vascular graft; while, the contralateral cephalic vein was used as a bridge. We describe a new technique of autologous cephalic vein transposition to create a native AVF in hemodialysis patients. Method Patients referred to our hospital for a vascular access placement. US vascular mapping of upper extremities revealed small arteries, but adequate forearm veins in all patients. Specifically, the radial artery luminal diameter was < 1.4 mm and < 1.6 mm, respectively at wrist and at middle-arm. While, at bend of the elbow, the ulnar artery diameter (>2.5 mm) in one case, and the brachial artery diameter (>3.5 mm) in two cases, were deemed adequate as feeding arteries of a possible AVFs. Furthermore, the diameter of the forearm cephalic vein ranged from 2.0 to 2.4 mm; in the upper arm the veins were obstructed or stenotic in one of the two arms. The basilic vein was patent in both arms of the patients; the internal diameter varied from 2.5 to 2.7 mm. Due to difficulty to create a traditional fistula, and higher risk of primary failure, it was decided to transpose the cephalic vein, from the forearm not suitable for the AVF, to the contralateral arm chosen for the AVF placement. Results With local anesthesia, an approximately 10-cm stretch of cephalic vein was harvested from the arm contralateral to the site chosen for AVF. Then, the transposed veins, reversed in their cranio-caudal position, were tunneled subcutaneously and anastomosed, in an end-to-end fashion, with cephalic vein at wrist region, and subsequently in a side-artery to end-vein at the elbow crease. The transposed AVFs were created in three patients with ESKD (2M/1F), mean age 47± 3.6 years, (two in the non-dominant arm), without complications. After 4 weeks, all the AVF were patent and the access flow was 660±120 ml/min. All the three AVF was deemed mature and usable for hemodialysis. Conclusion In selected cases, autologous transposition of the cephalic vein can be used to create an AVF, providing a long segment for cannulation. This type of AVF can be an alternative to prosthetic fistula, sparing the central venous catheter.