Evaluation of Immature Hemodialysis Arteriovenous Fistulas Based on 3-French Retrograde Micropuncture of Brachial Artery

Abstract

The objective of our study was to assess outcomes after evaluation of immature hemodialysis arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) via 3-French brachial artery access and to identify the incidence of arterial and venous puncture site spasm. One hundred twenty-three outpatients (82 men, 41 women; mean age, 58 years; age range, 20-90 years) with immature AVF were identified retrospectively in whom diagnostic fistulography was performed via 3-French retrograde brachial artery puncture. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was performed via a separate venous puncture during the same visit in 95 patients. Patient age and sex, fistula age and type, and technical success and complications were recorded. Images were reviewed for lesion location, potentially competing vessels, and arterial and venous puncture-related spasms. The mean fistula age was 99 days (range, 21-639 days). There were 49 AVFs in the left forearm; 30 in the left upper arm; 26 in the right forearm; and 18 in the right upper arm. Twenty-eight AVFs were transposed. Angioplasty was technically successful in 81 of 95 patients (85%; mean diameter, 7 mm; range, 4-10 mm). Brachial artery puncture caused no major complication. Arterial spasm occurred in 19 patients (15%) and was severe in one patient. There were two hematomas (1.6%). Venous spasm, ranging from mild (four patients) to occlusive (8 patients), occurred in 38 patients (40%) at the site of venipuncture for intervention. Nitroglycerin (mean, 325 mcg; range, 100-600 mcg) was used in 26 procedures (21%). Venous spasm was more common with forearm (50%) than upper arm (24%) fistulas (p = 0.02) and with decreasing vein diameter (p = 0.02). Evaluation of immature AVFs based on 3-French micropuncture of the brachial artery can be safely performed on an outpatient basis. Spasm is more common in forearm AVFs and in smaller veins.