Surgical Bypass of Symptomatic Central Venous Obstruction for Arteriovenous Fistula Salvage in Hemodialysis Patients

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Venous hypertension due to proximal central venous outflow obstruction coexisting with a functioning arteriovenous fistula in the ipsilateral arm presents with a complex management problem in hemodialysis patients. Ligation of the arteriovenous communication is the simplest procedure to relieve symptoms; however, this sacrifices the patient's hemodialysis access, which may be the only available access in that patient. Surgical bypass of the occlusion is a potential option as it obviates the symptoms of venous hypertension while preserving dialysis access. Our objective was to evaluate our experience and outcome with dialysis patients undergoing surgical bypass for symptomatic central venous obstruction and dialysis access salvage. There were three hemodialysis patients with severe venous hypertension secondary to subclavian vein obstruction who had functioning ipsilateral arteriovenous fistulae. All underwent cephalic vein (n = 2) or axillary vein (n = 1) to internal jugular vein bypass of the obstructed subclavian segment via an 8-mm polytetrafluoroethylene bridge graft. All patients had unsuccessful percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) attempts prior to surgical bypass. In two patients, a wire could not be passed through the occlusion; in the third, PTA was only transiently successful despite four repeated procedures. All patients had complete resolution of symptoms without operative mortality. The bypass grafts remained patent, allowing the arteriovenous fistulae to provide functional access for the entire duration of follow-up after surgery (3-8 months). Surgical bypass of a central vein obstruction relieves the symptoms of venous hypertension and prolongs the use of the existing hemodialysis access. This surgical option should be well recognized within the dialysis community.