Hemodialysis arteriovenous access: Detection of stenosis and response to treatment by vascular access blood flow

AbstractComplications related to hemodialysis vascular access continue to have a major impact on morbidity and mortality. Vascular access dysfunction is the single most important factor that determines the quality of dialysis treatment. Vascular access stenosis is a common complication that develops in a great majority of patients with an arteriovenous access and leads to access dysfunction. By restricting luminal diameter, this complication leads to a reduction in blood flow and places the access at risk for thrombosis. Similarly, the development of catheter-related fibroepithelial sheath also causes catheter dysfunction with its detrimental effects on blood flow. In this article, we discuss the most common complications associated with dialysis access and provide therapeutic options to manage these problems.

Download Full-text

Role of Doppler ultrasonography in the evaluation of hemodialysis arteriovenous access maturation and influencing factors

The Journal of Vascular Access ◽

10.1177/1129729820965064 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 112972982096506

Author(s):

Eva Chytilova ◽

Tamara Jemcov ◽

Jan Malik ◽

Jernej Pajek ◽

Branko Fila ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vascular Access ◽

Doppler Ultrasonography ◽

Arteriovenous Graft ◽

Central Venous ◽

Preoperative Mapping ◽

High Incidence ◽

Arteriovenous Access ◽

Ultrasound Parameters ◽

Fistula Maturation

The goal of vascular access creation is to achieve a functioning arteriovenous fistula (AVF) or arteriovenous graft (AVG). An autologous fistula has been shown to be superior to AVG or to central venous catheters (CVCs) with lowest rate of re-intervention, but vessel obstruction or immaturity accounts for 20 % to 54% of cases with primary failure of AVF. This review is focused on the factors influencing maturation; indication and timing of preoperative mapping/creation of vascular access; ultrasound parameters for creation AVF/AVG; early postoperative complications following creation of a vascular access; ultrasound determinants of fistula maturation and endovascular intervention in vascular access with maturation failure. However, vascular accesses that fail to develop, have a high incidence of correctable abnormalities, and these need to be promptly recognized by ultrasonography and managed effectively if a high success rate is to be expected. We review approaches to promoting fistula maturation and duplex ultrasonography (DUS) of evaluating vascular access maturation.

Download Full-text

Vascular Access Perspectives in Patients After Kidney Transplantation

Frontiers in Surgery ◽

10.3389/fsurg.2021.640986 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Krzysztof Letachowicz ◽

Mirosław Banasik ◽

Anna Królicka ◽

Oktawia Mazanowska ◽

Tomasz Gołębiowski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Flow ◽

Kidney Transplantation ◽

Vascular Access ◽

Graft Function ◽

Protective Measure ◽

Study Group ◽

Renal Transplant Recipients ◽

Upper Arm ◽

Surgical Closure ◽

Proximal Forearm

Introduction: More attention has been paid to the influence of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) on the cardiovascular system. In renal transplant recipients, some beneficial effect of an elective vascular access (VA) ligation was observed in patients with a high AVF flow. However, this strategy is not widely accepted and is in contradiction to the rule of vasculature preservation for possible future access. The aim of our study is to elucidate the vascular access function and VA perspective in the kidney transplantation (KTx) population.Materials and Methods: KTx patients with a stable graft function were recruited to participate in this single center observational study (NCT04478968). The measurement of VA flow and vessel mapping for future vascular access was performed by a color Doppler ultrasound. The study group included 99 (63%) males and 58 (37%) females; the median age was 57 (IQR 48–64) years. The median time from the transplantation to the baseline visit was 94 (IQR 61–149) months. Median serum creatinine concentration was 1.36 (IQR 1.13–1.67) mg/dl.Results: Functioning VA was found in 83 out of 157 (52.9%) patients. The sites were as follows: snuffbox in six (7.2%), wrist in 41 (49.4%), distal forearm in 18 (21.7%), middle or proximal forearm in eight (9.6%), upper-arm AV graft in one (1.2%), and upper-arm AVFs in nine (10.8%) patients, respectively. Blood flow ranged from 248 to 7,830 ml/min; the median was 1,134 ml/min. From the transplantation to the study visit, 66 (44.6%) patients experienced access loss. Spontaneous thrombosis was the most common, and it occurred in 60 (90.9%) patients. The surgical closure of VA was performed only in six (4%) patients of the study group with a functioning VA at the time of transplantation. Access loss occurred within the 1st year after KTx in 33 (50%) patients. Majority (50 out of 83, 60.2%) of the patients with an active VA had options to create a snuffbox or wrist AVF on the contralateral extremity. In a group of 74 patients without a functioning VA, the creation of a snuffbox or wrist AVF on the non-dominant and dominant extremity was possible in seven (9.2%) and 40 (52.6%) patients, respectively. In 10 (13.1%) patients, the possibilities were limited only to the upper-arm or proximal forearm VA on both sides. Access ligation was considered by 15 out of 83 (18.1%) patients with a patent VA.Conclusions: In the majority of the patients, vascular access blood flow was below the threshold of the negative cardiovascular effect of vascular access. Creation of a distal AVF is a protective measure to avoid a high flow and preserve the vessels for future access. The approach to VA should be individualized and adjusted to the patient's profile.

Download Full-text

Native Arterio-Venous Fistula for Hemodialysis: What to Expect Early after Creation?

The Journal of Vascular Access ◽

10.1177/112972980300400202 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 39-44 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

M. Leblanc ◽

E. Saint-Sauveur ◽

V. Pichette

Keyword(s):

Blood Flow ◽

Vascular Access ◽

Complication Rates ◽

Ultrasound Dilution ◽

Flow Monitoring ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Lower Complication ◽

Vascular Mapping ◽

Venous Fistula

Native arterio-venous fistulas (AVFs) are preferred for hemodialysis vascular access over synthetic grafts and long-term catheters. However, prevalence rates of native AVFs are variable around the world and have increased only slightly in United States since the DOQI guidelines. To increase rates of native AVFs, pre-operative vascular mapping by ultrasound has been found of major help for appropriate selection of the vessels. The minimal desirable lumen diameter of the artery should be > 2 mm and > 2.5 to 3 mm for the vein at the anatomosis. Early failure can be reduced to less than 10% when the feeding artery is > 2 mm, even in diabetics. If sizes of the vessels are smaller than those targets at the wrist, moving to the upper arm should be considered. The interval between creation and first cannulation varies from 2 weeks to 4 months. There might not be much advantage to wait for more than 4 weeks; however, in large dialysis units, observing a delay of 4 to 6 weeks may be worthwhile to avoid initial problems such as infiltrations and lacerations. Access flow monitoring is essential since it is a reliable predictor of vascular access dysfunction, reducing associated morbidity and costs. Early monitoring of recently created native AVFs has shown that the increase in intra-access blood flow occurs very soon after construction and becomes maximal after a few weeks. A recent prospective study involving all new native AVFs monitored by ultrasound-dilution between weeks 6 and 10 after creation, and every 3 to 6 weeks over 4 months, showed no statistically significant difference in access blood flow between the initial and final measurements (respective values of 1132 ± 681 and 1097 ± 644 ml/min). Access flow was higher in males, and in brachio-cephalic compared to radio-cephalic AVFs. Over the long-term, AVFs are associated with longer patency and lower complication rates, and efforts should be directed at further increasing their prevalence.

Download Full-text

Arteriovenous access practices in Australian and New Zealand dialysis units

The Journal of Vascular Access ◽

10.1177/1129729819851061 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (6) ◽

pp. 740-745 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Brendan Smyth ◽

Sradha Kotwal ◽

Martin Gallagher ◽

Nicholas A Gray ◽

Kevan R Polkinghorne

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Vascular Access ◽

Flow Measurement ◽

Online Survey ◽

Descriptive Analysis ◽

Graft Function ◽

Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter ◽

Flow Rate Measurement ◽

Unit Management ◽

Arteriovenous Access

Background: The creation and maintenance of dialysis vascular access is associated with significant morbidity. Structured management pathways can reduce this morbidity, yet practice patterns in Australia and New Zealand are not known. We aimed to describe the arteriovenous access practices in dialysis units in Australia and New Zealand. Methods: An online survey comprising 51 questions was completed by representatives from dialysis units from both countries. In addition to descriptive analysis, responses were compared between units inside and outside of major cities. Results: Of 64 contacted units, 48 (75%) responded (Australia 43, New Zealand 5), representing 38% of dialysis units in Australia and New Zealand. While 94% of units provided pre-dialysis education, only 60% reported a structured pre-dialysis pathway and 69% had a dedicated vascular access nurse. Most units routinely monitored fistula/graft function using flow rate measurement (73%) or recirculation studies (63%). A minority used routine ultrasound (35%). Thrombectomy, fistuloplasty and peritoneal dialysis catheter insertion were rarely performed by nephrologists (4%, 4% and 17% of units, respectively). Units outside of a major city were less likely to have access to a local vascular access surgeon (6/13 (46%) vs 35/35 (100%), P < 0.001). There were no other significant differences between units on the basis of location. Conclusion: Much variation exists in unit management of arteriovenous access. Structured pre-dialysis pathways and dedicated vascular access nurses may be underutilised in Australia and New Zealand. The use of regular access blood flow measurement and ultrasound is common in both countries despite a lack of data supporting its effectiveness. There is room for both practice improvement and a need for further evidence to ensure optimal arteriovenous access care.

Download Full-text

Clinical Outcomes of Arteriovenous Access in Incident Hemodialysis Patients with Medicare Coverage, 2012–2014

American Journal of Nephrology ◽

10.1159/000495355 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 49 (2) ◽

pp. 156-164 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Lauren C. Bylsma ◽

Heidi Reichert ◽

Shawn M. Gage ◽

Prabir Roy-Chaudhury ◽

Robert J. Nordyke ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vascular Access ◽

Venous Catheter ◽

The United States ◽

Chronic Hemodialysis ◽

Continuous Coverage ◽

Sustained Use ◽

Arteriovenous Access ◽

Stage Renal Disease ◽

End Stage ◽

Primary Payer

Background: Chronic hemodialysis requires a mode of vascular access through an arteriovenous fistula (AVF), a prosthetic arteriovenous graft (AVG), or a central venous catheter (CVC). AVF is recommended over AVG or CVC due to increased patency and decreased intervention rates for those that mature. AVG are preferred over CVC due to decreased infection and mortality risk. The aims of this study were to evaluate the lifespan of AVF and AVG in maturation, sustained access use, and abandonment. Methods: The United States Renal Data System (USRDS), Medicare claims, and CROWNWeb were used to identify access placements. Patients with a first end-stage renal disease (ESRD) service from January 1, 2012 to June 30, 2014 with continuous coverage with Medicare as primary payer and ≥1 AVF or AVG placed after ESRD onset were included. Maturation was defined as the first use of the access for hemodialysis recorded in CROWNWeb. Sustained access use was defined as 3 consecutive months of use without catheter placement or replacement. Accesses that were never used at any time post-placement were considered abandoned. Results: The cohort included 38,035 AVF placements and 12,789 AVG placements. Sixty-nine percent of AVF and 72% of AVG matured. Fifty-two percent of AVF and 51% of AVG achieved sustained access use. One quarter of AVF and 14% of AVG were abandoned without use as recorded in CROWNWeb. Conclusion: Although considered the gold standard for vascular access, only half of AVF and AVG placements achieved sustained access use. The USRDS database has inherent limitations but provides useful clinical insight into maturation, sustained use, and abandonment.

Download Full-text

The management of vascular access in hemodialysis patients during the coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic: A multicenter cross-sectional study

The Journal of Vascular Access ◽

10.1177/1129729820937484 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 112972982093748

Author(s):

Jia Shi ◽

Jian-Jun Yan ◽

Jian Chen ◽

Qing-Hong Zhang ◽

Yi Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Arteriovenous Fistula ◽

Vascular Access ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Hemodialysis Patients ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Epidemic Disease ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Flow Reduction ◽

Arteriovenous Access ◽

Access Complications

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 is an epidemic disease throughout the world. The management of vascular access during the epidemic is currently unknown. Methods: In this multicenter cross-sectional study, we collected vascular access data from hemodialysis patients treated at 44 hospitals in Hubei from 22 January to 10 March 2020. We estimated the management of vascular access during the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak. Results: Of the 9231 hemodialysis patients included, 5387 patients (58.4%) were men and 2959 patients (32.1%) were older than 65 years. Arteriovenous fistula was the predominant type of vascular access, accounting for 76.5%; 496 patients (5.4%) developed vascular access complications; catheter flow reduction was the most common vascular access complication, and stenosis was the predominant complication among those with arteriovenous access. Overall, 280 vascular access sites were placed in patients newly diagnosed with uremia, of whom 260 (92.8%) underwent catheter insertion; 149 rescue procedures were carried out to treat the vascular access complications, which consisted of 132 catheters, 7 percutaneous transluminal angioplasties, 6 arteriovenous fistula repairs, and 4 arteriovenous fistulas. Occlusion of the arteriovenous access had the highest rescue rate (92.7%), while many other vascular access complications remained untreated; 69 and 142 patients were diagnosed with confirmed and suspected coronavirus disease 2019, respectively. A total of 146 patients died, of whom 29 patients (19.9%) died due to vascular access complications. Conclusion: Catheter flow reduction and stenosis of arteriovenous access were the major vascular access complications. Most of the vascular access sites established were catheters, and many of the vascular access complications remained untreated.

Download Full-text

Simultaneous placement of leadless pacemaker and dialysis catheter in patient with exhausted vasculature

The Journal of Vascular Access ◽

10.1177/1129729819894085 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 112972981989408

Author(s):

Dawid Bednarczyk ◽

Wiktor Kuliczkowski ◽

Krzysztof Letachowicz ◽

Marcin Dzidowski ◽

Tomasz Witkowski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vascular Access ◽

Electronic Device ◽

Cardiac Pacemaker ◽

Cardiac Pacing ◽

Venous Access ◽

Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device ◽

Leadless Pacemaker ◽

Access Problem ◽

Arteriovenous Access

The problem with limited venous access may occur in patients receiving long-term hemodialysis treatment with no possibility of arteriovenous access or in patients with cardiac implantable electronic device–related infection leading to the removal of cardiac implantable electronic device. We present a case report where both situations occur simultaneously. Using recent development in cardiac pacing—leadless cardiac pacemaker—we manage to overcome the vascular access problem. The described case emphasizes the necessity of multispecialty collaboration and gains of new pacing technology in patients who need placement of vascular access for hemodialysis and cardiac implantable electronic device where vascular access is scarce.

Download Full-text