Surgical Arteriovenous Fistula Research Articles

Changes in Cardiac Structure and Function Following Fistula Ligation in Kidney Transplant Recipients (Cohort Study)

Purpose: International guidelines recommend that haemodialysis access is provided by an arteriovenous fistula (AVF), which enables frequent, reliable access to the circulation, but there are no guidelines to suggest whether these AVFs need to be ligated after kidney transplantation. Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality remain high in recipients of a kidney transplant, the persistence of a patent arteriovenous fistula (AVF) after transplantation may contribute to ongoing maladaptive cardiovascular remodelling. The ability to reverse this maladaptive remodelling by ligation of this AVF is unknown. We conducted this trial to evaluate the effect of AVF ligation on cardiac structure and function in stable kidney transplant recipients. Also we studied the ability of preoperative echocardiographic and non-invasive hemodynamic measurements, including the effects of acute temporary occlusion of the fistula, to predict postoperative left ventricular diameter and mass reduction, by the closure of the fistula.
 Materials and Methods: Nonrandomized controlled trial. kidney transplant recipients (>12 months after transplantation with stable graft function) were divided into 2 groups. The first referred for surgical arteriovenous fistula closure. The second group didn’t receive Fistula closure (control). Standard echocardiographic parameters, heart rate, and blood pressure were assessed preoperatively (fistula closure) at baseline. These measurements were repeated 6 months after surgical closure.
 Findings: Seventeen kidney transplant patients were prospectively studied with 11 case and 6 controls with no fistula closure. Surgical fistula closure decreased left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and mass indexes (29.9_2.4to 27.4_2.1 mm/m2, P<0.001, and 141_37 to 132_39 g/m2, P<0.05, respectively), whereas no changes were seen in controls after a similar delay. Postoperative left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and mass reductions correlated best with the increases in total peripheral resistance (r_0.85, P<0.0001) and mean arterial blood pressure (r_0.64, P_0.006), respectively.
 Conclusions. Surgical closure of arteriovenous fistula reduces left ventricular diameter and mass in kidney transplant recipients. The best predictors of those morphological changes are the rise in blood pressure and total peripheral resistance induced by temporary occlusion of the fistula.
 Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: Surgical closure of persistent AV fistula after renal transplantation to correct LV geometry and improve symptoms in terms of exertional dyspnea and palpitations.

OP94 Economic Evidence On Hemodialysis Access Creation Procedures In Patients With End-Stage Kidney Disease: A Systematic Literature Review

IntroductionIt is important to create and maintain durable hemodialysis (HD) access in health systems to reduce morbidity and maintain overall cost control in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). To evaluate the choice of HD vascular access creation procedures and their related economic costs, we aimed to identify economic evaluations on vascular access (VA) creation procedures in patients with ESKD.MethodsA systematic literature review was conducted using the Cochrane methodology to identify cost-effectiveness analyses (CEAs), budget impact analyses, and cost analyses of various HD access creation procedures. Eligible publications published from 2012 onwards were retrieved by searching PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. The Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards 2022 checklist and ISPOR Task Force guidelines were used to appraise the quality of the economic evaluations and budget impact analyses, respectively. Costs were adjusted for inflation and purchasing power parity and standardized to US dollars.ResultsA total of 40 economic evaluations met the inclusion criteria, including 28 cost analyses, three budget impact analyses, and nine CEAs. Widely evaluated procedures in the published literature were endovascular and surgical arteriovenous fistula (AVF), arteriovenous graft (AVG), and central venous catheterization (CVC). The results indicated that AVF was the most cost-effective strategy, followed by AVG, and CVC. Three studies showed that endovascular AVF was cost effective, compared with surgical AVF, and resulted in overall cost savings of about USD53 million dollars over a five-year period. Results of the quality assessment showed that budget impact analyses scored 63 percent, while the average score for economic evaluations was 58 percent.ConclusionsIt was challenging to identify a single effective method of managing vascular access due to the substantial heterogeneity among VA creation techniques. However, most of the included economic evaluations showed that AVF was a cost-effective method of VA creation relative to other identified techniques for patients with ESKD on HD.

PP103 Budget Impact Analysis Of Utilization Of WavelinQ Endo-arteriovenous Fistula System For Hemodialysis Patients: An Australian Hospital Perspective

IntroductionA high proportion of patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) are treated with hemodialysis (HD). To lower morbidity and maintain overall cost control in patients with ESKD, it is crucial for health systems to establish and maintain durable hemodialysis (HD) access. Our objective was to assess the budget impact of utilizing the ‘WavelinQ Endo Arteriovenous Fistula (AVF) system’ (WavelinQ) for HD patients.MethodsA one-year economic model from the Hospital (Flinders Medical Centre, FMC) perspective was developed with Australian epidemiological and costing data. Clinical data were collected from real-world sources. The incident (n=50) and prevalent (n=250) cohorts were based on FMC utilization patterns. The current standard of care was surgical AVF (sAVF) and/or central venous catheters (CVC). With introduction of WavelinQ into practice, the substitution rate was set at 50 percent in new patients and ten percent amongst existing patients. Index procedure and reinterventions costs for the patient were based on the weighted average cost using National Efficient Price Determination 2020 to 21. Total costs preWavelinQ introduction were compared to post WavelinQ substitution to determine the budget impact.ResultsBased on FMC expected patient cohort and WavelinQ substitution rates, the mean annual cost savings per incident and prevalent patient were AUD26,873 and AUD3,549, respectively, which lead to overall mean annual cost savings per patient of AUD7,437. The calculated per patient additional upfront cost of AUD7,010 with the WavelinQ index procedure versus sAVF was more than offset by the savings due to less post-procedure reinterventions. Overall, at the assumed substitution rates with WavelinQ, the model predicted a cost saving of approximately AUD2.2 million dollars for FMC.ConclusionsThe use of WavelinQ is expected to lead to cost savings of AUD2.2 million dollars from the FMC perspective. Hospitals should consider not just the increase in upfront costs but also potential savings from less reintervention procedures. There is a need for continued research on the budget impact of different HD modalities across multiple settings.

Cost-Effectiveness of Erythrocytapheresis in Children and Young Adults with Beta Thalassemia Major and Sickle Cell Disease

Introduction During the management of hemoglobinopathies, including sickle cell disease (SCD) and thalassemia, red blood cell (RBC) transfusions are crucial in treating symptomatic anemia. Repeated transfusions can lead to iron accumulation in soft tissues, causing inflammation, susceptibility to infections, and damage to vital organs. Currently treatment of iron overload with iron chelation therapy, does not always guarantee optimal and lasting responses. Erythrocytapheresis, an automated method for RBC exchange, has shown promising results in reducing iron overload in patients with SCD and adult patients with β-thalassemia. Studies show limited use in children and young adults, due to optimal flow and venous access problems. At the Antwerp University Hospital, erythrocytapheresis has been adopted as the standard of care in managing patients with both SCD and β-thalassemia major who develop iron overload, with the goals of reducing ferritin levels and preventing permanent complications. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and cost-effectiveness ratio associated with the inclusion of erythrocytapheresis in the overall management of these patients. Methods This retrospective study analyzed patients diagnosed with SCD or β-thalassemia major between 2015 and 2022, who were treated for transfusion related iron overload with iron chelation therapy with serum ferritin and hemoglobin (Hb) levels as indicators. The case cohort were treated with erythrocytapheresis alone or in combination with iron chelation therapy, whilst the control cohort was treated with oral iron chelation therapy alone. Long-term venous access was established in all patients utilizing one of two methods: 1) two high pressure intravenous 14-gauge catheters (Port-a-Cath®), one placed in the subclavian vein, and one placed in the inguinal vein 2) or a surgical arteriovenous fistula created in the cubital fossa. Erythrocytapheresis was performed with the Spectra Optia® system (Caridian BCT, Inc) Data to evaluate erythrocytapheresis therapy outcomes were collected at five different time points, until one year post commencing erythrocytapheresis therapy. Results Of the 19 patients, 11 (57,9%) were males with a M:F ratio of 1:0.7. The median age was 13 years (range 1 to 27 years). The cohort consisted of 10 (52,6%) patients with SCD, eight (42,1%) with β-thalassemia major and one (5,3%) with sickle-thalassemia. The cohort treated with erythrocytapheresis showed a significant decrease in serum ferritin ( p<0.001) whilst maintain steady Hb levels ( p<0.001). The cohort treated with oral iron chelation therapy alone, no significant decrease in serum ferritin was found ( p=0.156) but a decrease in Hb levels over time ( p=0.07). Comparing the evolution of median serum ferritin between therapy with erythrocytapheresis and iron chelation therapy showed a statistically significant difference ( p=0.008) ( Fig. 1). Patients with β-thalassemia major receiving erythrocytapheresis showed a greater reduction in serum ferritin compared to patients without ( p=0.036). A difference could not be shown between the erythrocytapheresis and iron chelation single therapies (p=0.100). Optimal continuous flow was achieved with two small Port-a-Cath® systems. A cost benefit analysis showed that the cost of a single erythrocytapheresis is comparable to the lowest dosage of Deferasirox ( Table 1). Erythrocytapheresis could be a financially viable treatment method for children and young adults independent of the resource setting. Conclusion Currently iron chelation therapy is not always sufficient in patients with hemoglobinopathies treated for iron overload. Patients treated with erythrocytapheresis showed more stable and higher hemoglobin levels and a more significant decline in serum ferritin levels compared to iron chelation therapy alone. This study showed that erythrocytapheresis can also be used in children with β-thalassemia major. Further studies are needed to optimize erythrocytapheresis in children and extrapolate these findings to a larger population.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of endovascular vs surgical arteriovenous fistula creation in the United States

ObjectiveIn the United States, an estimated $2.8 billion annually is spent on vascular access and its complications. Endovascular arteriovenous fistula (endoAVF) creation is a novel, minimally invasive alternative to traditional surgical AV fistula (sAVF) creation in ≤60% of patients. Although cost effective in single-payer systems, the clinical and financial impact of endoAVF in the United States remains uncertain. MethodsWe constructed a decision tree followed by a probabilistic cohort state-transition model to study the cost effectiveness of endoAVF vs sAVF creation. We conducted a systematic review to obtain input parameters including technical success, maturation, patency, and utility values. We derived costs from the Medicare 2022 fee schedule and from the literature. We used a 5-year time horizon, an annual discount rate of 3% for costs and utilities (measured in quality-adjusted life-years [QALYs]), and the common willingness-to-pay threshold of $50,000. One-way and Monte Carlo probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed varying technical success, patency, reintervention, cost, and utility parameters. ResultsIn the base-case scenario, endoAVF ($30,129 average per-person costs, 2.19 QALYs gained, 65% patent at 5 years) was not cost effective compared with sAVF ($12.987 average per-person costs, 2.11 QALYs gained, 66% patent at 5 years), generating an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $227,504 per QALY gained. In one-way sensitivity analyses, endoAVF becomes cost effective when the initial cost of sAVF creation exceeds endoAVF by ≥$600 (eg, if endoAVF creation costs ≤$3000 relative to the base-case sAVF cost of $3600), the additional QALYs gained from endoAVF exceeds 0.12 QALYs/year (eg, 0.81 QALYs gained/year from endoAVF compared with base-case sAVF 0.69 QALYs/year), the endoAVF maturation rate is >90% (base case 78%), or the sAVF maturation rate is <65% (base case 78%). Probabilistic sensitivity analysis demonstrated that sAVF remained the optimal strategy in 71% of iterations. ConclusionsEndoAVF is not cost effective compared with sAVF when modeling 5-year outcomes. The main driver of sAVF remaining cost effective is the four times higher up-front cost for endoAVF creation, as well as a relatively low additional increase in quality of life for endoAVF. It will be important to establish how the endoAVF learning curve contributes to upfront costs and, given the annual cost attributed to vascular access nationally, a randomized controlled trial is warranted.

Early clinical experience and comparison between percutaneous and surgical arteriovenous fistula: Presented at the Thirty-sixth Annual Meeting of the Eastern Vascular Society, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 29-October 1, 2022.

Early clinical experience and comparison between percutaneous and surgical arteriovenous fistula: Presented at the Thirty-sixth Annual Meeting of the Eastern Vascular Society, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 29-October 1, 2022.

Early clinical experience and comparison between percutaneous and surgical arteriovenous fistula

BackgroundPercutaneous arteriovenous fistula (pAVF) has been recently developed as an alternative to surgical AVF (sAVF). We report our experience with pAVF in comparison with a contemporaneous sAVF group. MethodsCharts of all 51 patients with pAVF performed at our institution were analyzed retrospectively, in addition to 51 randomly selected contemporaneous patients with sAVF (2018-2022) with available follow-up. Outcomes of interest were (i) procedural success rate, (ii) number of maturation procedures required, (iii) fistula maturation rates, and (iv) rates of tunneled dialysis catheter (TDC) removal. For patients on hemodialysis (HD), sAVF and pAVF were considered mature when the AVF was used for HD. For patients not on HD, pAVF were considered mature if flow rates of ≥500 mL/min were documented in superficial venous outflow; for sAVF, documentation of maturity based on clinical criteria was required. ResultsCompared patients with sAVF, patients with pAVF were more likely to be male (78% vs 57%; P = .033) and less likely to have congestive heart failure (10% vs 43%; P < .001) and coronary artery disease (18% vs 43%; P = .009). Procedural success was achieved in 50 patients with pAVF (98%). Fistula angioplasties (60% vs 29%; P = .002) and ligation (24% vs 2%; P = .001) or embolization (22% vs 2%; P = .002) of competing outflow veins were more frequently performed on patients with pAVF. The surgical cohort had more planned transpositions (39% vs 6%; P < .001). When all maturation interventions were combined, pAVF required more maturation procedures, but this was not statistically significant (76% vs 53%; P = .692). When planned second-stage transpositions were excluded, pAVF had a statistically significant higher rate of maturation procedures (74% vs 24%; P < .001). Overall, 36 pAVF (72%) and 29 sAVF (57%) developed mature fistulas. This difference, however, was not statistically significant (P = .112). At the time of AVF creation, 26 patients with pAVF and 40 patients with sAVF were on HD, all through use of a TDC. Catheter removal was recorded in 15 patients with pAVF (58%) and 18 patients with sAVF (45%) (P = .314). The mean time until TDC removal in pAVF group was 146 ± 74 days, compared with 175 ± 99 in the sAVF group (P = .341). ConclusionsCompared with sAVF, rates of maturation after pAVF seem to be similar, but this result may be related to the higher intensity of maturation procedures and patient selection. An analysis of appropriately matched patients will assist in elucidating the possible role of pAVF vis-a-vis sAVF.

Percutaneous Creation of Dialysis Arteriovenous Fistula: Patient Selection and Ultrasound Mapping.

Approximately, 550,000 patients with end-stage kidney disease rely on maintenance dialysis in the United States, and nearly 90% receive hemodialysis.[1] Providing hemodialysis requires a conduit to the bloodstream (vascular access) that can reliably deliver a high blood flow into the extracorporeal dialysis circuit. A surgical arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is created by a direct surgical anastomosis between a peripheral artery and vein. AVFs are considered the preferred type of vascular access, because they have better survival and require fewer interventions to maintain long-term patency for dialysis, once they are successfully cannulated for dialysis.[2] [3] [4]

Pentoxifylline decreases the activity of the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 pathway: potential role for preventing arteriovenous fistula stenosis.

This study aimed to determine the effect of pentoxifylline (PTX) on the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome pathway and its role in preventing arteriovenous fistula (AVF) failure. Vein samples were collected from AVF failure patients and from patients who underwent surgical AVF as a control. The expressions of CD34 and NLRP3 in AVF tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Arteriovenous fistula rat models were established by the end-to-end anastomosis of the common carotid artery and external jugular vein. The AVF models were divided into the following groups: AVF, AVF + PTX, AVF + uraemia and AVF + uraemia + PTX. Six weeks after surgery, the AVF tissues in each group were collected to detect the expressions of CD34, NLRP3, caspase-1 and interleukin (IL)-1β by immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction. The expressions of NLRP3 and CD34 in human AVF failure tissues were significantly higher than those in normal veins (p < 0.001), indicating that NLRP3 was upregulated in patients with AVF failure. In our animal study, the veins in the AVF + uraemia group exhibited heavy hyperplasia, and the boundary between the media and the adventitia was not clear. However, PTX alleviated this hyperplasia. Compared with the AVF models, the AVF + uraemia models had much higher expressions of NLRP3, caspase-1, IL-1β and CD34 (p < 0.001). However, PTX had the opposite effect against uraemia on the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway at both the gene and protein levels. Our findings provide new insights that show that PTX can decrease the activity of the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway in AVF models. Pentoxifylline has the potential as a drug for preventing intimal hyperplasia and AVF failure.

Early Clinical Experience With Percutaneous Arteriovenous Fistula and Comparison to Surgical Arteriovenous Fistula

Early Clinical Experience With Percutaneous Arteriovenous Fistula and Comparison to Surgical Arteriovenous Fistula

A Comparison Between the Efficacy and Safety of Endovascular Arteriovenous Fistula Creation and Surgical Fistula Creation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

An endovascular arteriovenous fistula is a recent technological advancement in hemodialysis vascular access. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of endovascular arteriovenous fistula (eAVF) creation compared with surgical arteriovenous fistula (sAVF) creation among patients with chronic kidney disease.We searched Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, Clinical Trials.gov, and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform until May 2021 to perform meta-analyses using random-effects models. Pre-specified primary outcomes were fistula maturation, procedure-related complications, and patient satisfaction. Secondary outcomes were procedural technical success, procedure time, all adverse events, and medical expenditure. The risk of bias in non-randomized studies of the interventions assessment tool, and the Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach were used to assess the quality of individual studies and the body of evidence, respectively.In seven studies including 860 patients, endovascular arteriovenous fistula creation had little to no effect on fistula maturation (odds ratio, 0.58; 95% confidence intervals, 0.05 to 6.91). Meta-analysis could not be performed for procedure-related complications and patient satisfaction due to insufficient data. For secondary outcomes, endovascular arteriovenous fistula resulted in a slight to no difference in procedural technical success (odds ratio, 0.69: 95% confidence intervals, 0.04 to 11.98) and all adverse events (odds ratio, 6.31; 95% confidence intervals, 0.64 to 62.22). Endovascular fistula creation incurred less medical expenditure than sAVF (mean difference, USD 12760; 95% confidence intervals, -19710 to -5820). Meta-analysis for procedure time was not performed because one of the studies had a critical risk of bias. All of these outcomes were of low certainty of evidence or very low certainty of evidence.There was limited evidence for supporting endovascular arteriovenous fistula creation over conventional surgical arteriovenous fistula creation for patients with chronic kidney disease. Multicenter randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of eAVFs in selected populations.

A Rare Cardiac Complication of Left-Sided Tunneled Hemodialysis Catheter Insertion

Left atrial perforation during central venous catheter insertion is an extremely rare complication which can have catastrophic outcomes if left unrecognized. We describe a rare case of the left atrial catheter malposition during tunneled hemodialysis catheter insertion from the left internal jugular vein, which was managed successfully by surgical reposition and simultaneously vascular access was secured by salvaging the same catheter in a patient with poor arteriovenous anatomy for surgical arteriovenous fistula.

Arteriovenous Fistula Nonmaturation: What's the Immune System Got to Do with It?

Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) nonmaturation is a persistent problem, particularly among female and Black patients. Increasingly, the immune system has been recognized as an important contributor to vascular disease, but few studies have examined immune factors relative to AVF maturation outcomes. This study evaluated the association of serum panel reactive antibodies (PRA), a measure of immune system reactivity assessed in patients undergoing kidney transplant evaluation, with AVF nonmaturation. We identified 132 patients at our institution who underwent surgical AVF placement between 2010-2019 and had PRA testing within 1 year of AVF creation. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the association of patient demographic and clinical factors, class I and class II PRA levels, and preoperative arterial and venous diameters with AVF maturation outcomes. AVF nonmaturation was more likely in females than males (44% versus 20%, P=0.003) and in Black than white patients (40% versus 13%, P=0.001). Class II PRA was higher in females than males (12%±23% versus 4%±13%, P=0.02). In the multivariable model, AVF nonmaturation was associated with class II PRA (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.34 per 10% increase; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.04 to 1.82, P=0.02) and Black race (aOR, 3.34; 95% CI, 1.02 to 10.89, P=0.03), but not with patient sex or preoperative arterial or venous diameters. The association of elevated class II PRA with AVF nonmaturation suggests the immune system may play a role in AVF maturation outcomes, especially among female patients.

Research Priorities for Percutaneous Arteriovenous Fistula Creation in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease: Proceedings and Recommendations from a Multidisciplinary Research Consensus Panel

Recently developed endovascular techniques to create percutaneous arteriovenous fistulas are an alternative to surgical arteriovenous fistula creation, although there is currently a lack of high-level evidence regarding their creation, maturation, utilization, and long-term function. Recognizing this, the Society of Interventional Radiology Foundation sponsored a Research Consensus Panel and Summit for the prioritization of a research agenda to identify and address the gaps in current knowledge.

"Real-world" endovascular versus surgical arteriovenous fistula economic evaluation: Can clinical outcomes and use of resources be derived from different countries?

"Real-world" endovascular versus surgical arteriovenous fistula economic evaluation: Can clinical outcomes and use of resources be derived from different countries?

Preoperative assessment for percutaneous and open surgical arteriovenous fistula creation in patients for haemodialysis

Preoperative assessment prior to surgical arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) including ultrasound-guided mapping has been shown to have beneficial effects on their immediate success as well as early outcomes. This has led to their wide acceptance and adoption however clinical practice criteria is variable and is reflected in variabilities in practice. When transposing this to percutaneously created endovascular AVFs (endoAVFs), variable preoperative assessment criteria could equally result in variable practice and potentially subsequent and expectant outcomes. We aimed to review literature on reported validated methodologies and workflows of preoperative assessment for surgical AVF creation as reported in highest levels of available evidence, specifically randomized controlled trials. Published practice recommendations and guidelines on best clinical practice as well as systematic reviews and meta-analyses of published studies were also reviewed. Data on practice methodology from identified trial publications and protocols was collated and a summative narrative synthesis was carried out which compared these methodologies to additional assessments that may be required when targeting assessment for percutaneous endoAVF formation, based on our units experience as part of an international multicentre trial. In this review we present a brief overview of published literature and guidelines and propose a unified and uniform workflow for preoperative assessment for surgical AVFs and endoAVFs to aide clinical and imaging practice.

Early Predictors of Arteriovenous Fistula Maturation: A Novel Perspective on an Enduring Problem.

Preoperative ultrasound mapping is routinely used to select vessels meeting minimal threshold diameters for surgical arteriovenous fistula (AVF) creation but fails to improve AVF maturation rates. This suggests a need to reassess the preoperative ultrasound criteria used to optimize AVF maturation. We retrospectively identified 300 catheter-dependent patients on hemodialysis with a new AVF created between 2010 and 2016. We then evaluated the associations of preoperative vascular measurements and hemodynamic factors with unassisted AVF maturation (successful use for dialysis without prior intervention) and overall maturation (successful use with or without prior intervention). Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify preoperative factors associated with unassisted and overall AVF maturation. Unassisted AVF maturation associated with preoperative arterial diameter (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.50 per 1-mm increase; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.23 to 1.83), preoperative systolic BP (aOR, 1.16 per 10-mm Hg increase; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.28), and left ventricular ejection fraction (aOR, 1.07 per 5% increase; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.13). Overall AVF maturation associated with preoperative arterial diameter (aOR, 1.36 per 1-mm increase; 95% CI, 1.10 to 1.66) and preoperative systolic BP (aOR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.30). Using receiver operating curves, the combination of preoperative arterial diameter, systolic BP, and left ventricular ejection fraction was fairly predictive of unassisted maturation (area under the curve, 0.69). Patient age, sex, race, diabetes, vascular disease, obesity, and AVF location were not associated with maturation. Preoperative arterial diameter may be an under-recognized predictor of AVF maturation. Further study evaluating the effect of preoperative arterial diameter and other hemodynamic factors on AVF maturation is needed.

Patient selection, education, and cannulation of percutaneous arteriovenous fistulae: An ASDIN White Paper.

End-stage kidney disease patients who are candidates for surgical arteriovenous fistula creation commonly experience obstacles to a functional surgical arteriovenous fistula, including protracted wait time for creation, poor maturation, and surgical arteriovenous fistula dysfunction that can result in significant patient morbidity. The recent approval of two endovascular devices designed to create a percutaneous arteriovenous fistula enables arteriovenous fistula creation to be placed in the hands of interventionalists, thereby increasing the number of arteriovenous fistula providers, reducing wait times, and allowing the patient to avoid surgery. Moreover, current studies demonstrate that patients with percutaneous arteriovenous fistula experience improved time to arteriovenous fistula maturation. Yet, in order to realize the potential advantages of percutaneous arteriovenous fistula creation within our hemodialysis patient population, it is critical to select appropriate patients, ensure adequate patient and dialysis unit education, and provide sufficient instruction in percutaneous arteriovenous fistula cannulation and monitoring. In this White Paper by the American Society of Diagnostic and Interventional Nephrology, experts in interventional nephrology, surgery, and interventional radiology convened and provide recommendations on the aforementioned elements that are fundamental to a functional percutaneous arteriovenous fistula.

Preoperative assessment for percutaneous and open surgical arteriovenous fistula creation in patients for haemodialysis.

Preoperative assessment prior to surgical arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) including ultrasound-guided mapping has been shown to have beneficial effects on their immediate success as well as early outcomes. This has led to their wide acceptance and adoption however clinical practice criteria is variable and is reflected in variabilities in practice. When transposing this to percutaneously created endovascular AVFs (endoAVFs), variable preoperative assessment criteria could equally result in variable practice and potentially subsequent and expectant outcomes. We aimed to review literature on reported validated methodologies and workflows of preoperative assessment for surgical AVF creation as reported in highest levels of available evidence, specifically randomized controlled trials. Published practice recommendations and guidelines on best clinical practice as well as systematic reviews and meta-analyses of published studies were also reviewed. Data on practice methodology from identified trial publications and protocols was collated and a summative narrative synthesis was carried out which compared these methodologies to additional assessments that may be required when targeting assessment for percutaneous endoAVF formation, based on our units experience as part of an international multicentre trial. In this review we present a brief overview of published literature and guidelines and propose a unified and uniform workflow for preoperative assessment for surgical AVFs and endoAVFs to aide clinical and imaging practice.

Arteriovenous fistula creation for hypoxia after single ventricle palliation: A single‐institution experience and literature review

Hypoxia is a common and sometimes severe morbidity of single ventricle congenital heart disease (CHD). Creation of an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is occasionally performed for patients after superior or total cavopulmonary connection (SCPC or TCPC) in an attempt to improve oxygen saturations. Despite previous reports, AVF creation is a rare palliation with inadequately defined benefits and risks. We sought to determine changes in peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2 ) and risk of adverse event after AVF creation in children with single ventricle CHD at our institution. We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with a history of single ventricle palliation and history of surgical AVF creation who were seen at our tertiary care center from 1996 to 2017. A total of seven patients were included in our study. SpO2 for the overall cohort did not significantly increase after AVF creation (pre-AVF 79.1±6.9%, post-AVF 82.7±6.0% [P=.23]). SpO2 trended up for large shunts (>5mm) (pre-AVF 75.0±7.6%, post-AVF 84.0±5.3% [P=.25]). SpO2 did not improve for small shunts (≤5mm) (pre-AVF 82.3±6.5%, post-AVF 81.0±8.5% [P=.50]). The 12-month overall and transplant-free survival were 85.7% and 71.4%, respectively. Freedom from AVF-related complication (cephalic edema, thrombotic occlusion) was 51.4% at 12months. Palliative AVF creation for patients with single ventricle CHD and hypoxia does not universally improve SpO2 and is prone to early complications. Despite a lack of durable benefit and known risks, AVF creation remains a reasonable palliation for a subset of patients after SCPC who are not candidates for TCPC, or potentially as a bridge to heart transplantation.