TP5.2.4 Patency of radiocephalic versus brachiocephalic arteriovenous fistula in a major tertiary hospital

Abstract

Abstract Introduction The patency of brachiocephalic fistulae is generally considered to be superior to radiocephalic fistulae. We have explored this in a major tertiary hospital. Method This was a retrospective review of fistulae created between 1st January 2015 and 31st July 2020. Index cases were identified from a prospectively maintained vascular access database. Patient demographics, procedure details and subsequent interventions are described. Results There were 915 fistulae created on 813 patients (528 males and 285 females). There were 388 radiocephalic fistulae created on 374 patients and 363 brachiocephalic fistulae were formed on 301 patients. Both groups had 315 fistulae with patency data available. Age and a diagnosis of diabetes were comparable. There were significantly fewer female patients in the radiocephalic cohort (p = 0.004). Primary patency at 3 months, 1 year and 3 years were 84.6%, 58.1% and 37.9% for radiocephalic and 87.9%, 63.1% and 37.0% for brachiocephalic fistula (p = 0.273). Primary assisted patency at 3 months, 1 year and 3 years were 92.3%, 87.0%, 77.4% for radiocephalic and 96.1%, 88.6%, 79.9% for brachiocephalic fistulas (p = 0.295). Secondary patency at 3 months, 1 year and 3 years were 93.3%, 88.3% and 81.5% for radiocephalic fistulas and 97.4%, 90.6% and 85.7% for brachiocephalic fistulas (p = 0.134). Conclusion We have demonstrated similar primary, primary-assisted and secondary patency for radiocephalic and brachiocephalic fistulae. Pre-operative ultrasound vein mapping, selective ultrasound surveillance, surgical expertise and careful patient selection may contribute to the high secondary patency and absence of difference between the groups.