Comparison of Side-to-side Brachiocephalic Arteriovenous Fistula with Ligation of the Perforating Vein with End-to-side Brachiocephalic Arteriovenous Fistula

Abstract

Introduction: Comparison of side-to-side brachiocephalic arteriovenous fistula (BCAVF) with ligation of the perforating vein with end-to-side BCAVF. Report: All side-to-side with ligation of the perforating vein and end-to-side BCAVFs which were created in two hospitals were followed up to determine complications and patency rate of AVFs. Forty-four patients (24 side-to-side) entered the study but two patients censored from analysis due to early mortality. Patients of both groups were free of steal syndrome and venous hypertension. There were no significant differences in maturation time and complications between two groups. Respectively 2 and 3 failures occurred in side-to-side and end-to-side groups (P>0.05). One year patency rate was 95% and 86% for side-to-side and end-to-side groups respectively. Discussion: Although there was no significant difference regarding primary and secondary access failure during follow up period, one year patency rate was higher in side-to-side group using life table analysis. Also, there was no significant difference regarding complications. This may show end-to-side BCAVF has no superiority to our new technique.