Long-Term Safety, Efficacy, Indications, and Criteria of Arteriovenous Fistula Ligation Following Kidney Transplant: A Patient-Driven Approach.

Abstract

In patients with end-stage renal disease, arteriovenous fistulas are the standard of care to ensure long-term vascular access. Recent studies suggest some long-term posttransplant cardiac benefits and quality of life improvements in kidney transplant recipients due to arteriovenous fistula ligation. However, there are no guidelines regarding arteriovenous fistula management after transplant. Our study objective was to evaluate the long-term safety of arteriovenous fistula ligation and the frequency of returning to hemodialysis after ligation. Retrospective chart review from February 2014 to December 2020 identified 578 adult patients who underwent successful kidney transplant at our center. Of these patients, 47 underwent subsequent arteriovenous fistula ligation. Both medically driven and patient-driven cases were assessed and approved by a transplant nephrology team with regard to allograft function and ligation suitability. Our results showed that, of the 47 renal transplant patients, 70.2% chose to undergo arteriovenous fistula ligation due to aneurysmal formation, 44.7% due to pain, and 14.9% due to high-output heart failure. In total, 68.1% of arteriovenous fistula ligations performed were primarily patient driven. There was an average follow-up of 2.9 years after ligation, with 1 unrelated reoperation and no returns to dialysis for all patients who underwent arteriovenous fistula ligation. In our study, the long-term risks of surgical complications and allograft impairment after ligation were negligible. As a result of our current findings and known positive cardiovascular benefit, patient-driven arteriovenous fistula ligation after kidney transplant should be routinely considered in patients with stable allograft function.