Impact of Arteriovenous Fistula for Hemodialysis on Clinical Outcomes of Coronary Artery Bypass

Abstract

This study compared clinical outcomes between the use of in situ and free internal thoracic artery grafts in patients with upper extremity arteriovenous fistula who underwent coronary artery bypass. We reviewed 85 hemodialysis-dependent patients with upper extremity arteriovenous fistula who underwent coronary artery bypass with internal thoracic artery grafts. The patients were categorized into 2 groups; 48 (56%) with in situ graft ipsilateral to the arteriovenous fistula (group I) and 37 (44%) with free grafts anastomosed to the ascending aorta (group F). The follow-up period was 32.0 ± 38.1 months. The estimated overall survival rates at 3, 5, and 10 years were 89.5%, 81.6%, and 53%, respectively, for all discharged patients. There was no significant difference in in-hospital mortality, all-cause mortality, and freedom from major adverse cardiac events between the groups, although cardiac-related deaths occurred only in group I (n= 5). Ipsilateral in situ grafts were associated with hemodialysis-induced chest pain (odds ratio, 5.528; 95% confidence interval, 1.079 to 28.333; p= 0.040). The incidence of dialysis-induced chest pain in patients with in situ noncomposite, in situ composite, and free grafts was 45.5%, 19.4%, and 5.7%, respectively (p= 0.009). Mortality was not influenced by using the internal thoracic artery as an ipsilateral in situ graft in patients with upper extremity arteriovenous fistula. However, there was a risk of increased incidence of hemodialysis-induced chest pain that is most likely related to coronary steal. A free internal thoracic artery graft would be an alternative option in these patients.