Anatomical variations in upper arm vasculature pertinent to haemodialysis access creation: are surgeons aware sufficiently?

Author(s):  
Zia Ur Rehman ◽  
Zainab Majid ◽  
Laila Tul Qadar ◽  
Aamina Majid

Abstract There exist wide anatomical variations of upper limb. Their implication is perhaps greatest when it comes to failure of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) for chronic hemodialysis. Among arteries of forearm, brachial artery is of note, whose high bifurcation is associated with increased risk of failure. The superficial and accessory variants also cause difficulty for the surgeon. The single unpaired brachial vein and stenosis of cephalic vein compound the difficulties associated with AVF among many others. A thorough understanding of surgeons regarding normal anatomy and diverse variants holds high importance in context of deciding an appropriate site for arteriovenous (AV) anastomosis. Negligence in creation of fistula not only pose a threat to patients of end stage renal disease (ERSD) but also contributes to numerous other complications involving nerves and drug administration. Keywords: Brachial artery; basilic vein; arteriovenous fistula; vascular variations. Continuous....

2021 ◽  
pp. 112972982110212
Author(s):  
Ahmet Murt ◽  
Serap Yadigar ◽  
Serkan Feyyaz Yalin ◽  
Mevlut Tamer Dincer ◽  
Ergun Parmaksiz ◽  
...  

Background: While COVID-19 in chronic hemodialysis patients has high mortality and the pandemic will not end in the near future, effective follow up strategies should be implemented for these patients. Surgeries have been triaged according to their level of urgencies and arteriovenous fistula (AVF) operations were among elective surgeries. This study aimed to analyze the effect of vascular access on the outcomes of hemodialysis patients who had COVID-19. Methods: One hundred four hemodialysis patients who had COVID-19 were retrospectively analyzed. Seventy-two of them had AVF as the vascular access while 32 of them had tunneled catheters. Inflammatory markers and outcomes of patients with AVFs and catheters were compared. A logistic regression analysis was performed in order to define factors that contribute to better outcomes in hemodialysis patients. Results: COVID-19 had high mortality rate in hemodialysis patients (36.5%). Patients with catheters have higher peak ferritin levels ( p = 0.02) and longer hospital stay ( p = 0.00). Having AVF as the vascular access (OR = 3.36; 95% CI: 1.05–10.72; p = 0.041) and using medium cut-off dialyzers (OR = 7.99; 95% CI: 1.53–41.65; p = 0.014) were related to higher survival of the patients. COVID severity was inversely proportional to the survival ( p = 0.000) Conclusions: AVFs contribute to higher survival of hemodialysis patients with COVID-19. Even in the pandemic era, end stage renal disease patients should be given the opportunity to have their vascular access properly created.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefanos Roumeliotis ◽  
Athanasios Roumeliotis ◽  
Xenia Gorny ◽  
Peter R. Mertens

In end-stage renal disease patients, the leading causes of mortality are of cardiovascular (CV) origin. The underlying mechanisms are complex, given that sudden heart failure is more common than acute myocardial infarction. A contributing role of oxidative stress is postulated, which is increased even at early stages of chronic kidney disease, is gradually augmented in parallel to progression to endstage renal disease and is further accelerated by renal replacement therapy. Oxidative stress ensues when there is an imbalance between reactive pro-oxidants and physiologically occurring electron donating antioxidant defence systems. During the last decade, a close association of oxidative stress with accelerated atherosclerosis and increased risk for CV and all-cause mortality has been established. Lipid peroxidation has been identified as a trigger for endothelial dysfunction, the first step towards atherogenesis. In order to counteract the deleterious effects of free radicals and thereby ameliorate, or delay, CV disease, exogenous administration of antioxidants has been proposed. Here, we attempt to summarize existing data from studies that test antioxidants for CV protection, such as vitamins E and C, statins, omega-3 fatty acids and N-acetylcysteine.


2021 ◽  
pp. 112972982110008
Author(s):  
Joao Pedro Teixeira ◽  
Sara A Combs ◽  
Jonathan G Owen

Patients with end-stage kidney disease are at increased risk of death from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In addition, severe COVID-19 has been associated with an increased risk of arterial and venous thromboses. In this report, we describe the case of a hemodialysis patient who developed an otherwise-unexplained thrombosis of an arteriovenous fistula during a symptomatic COVID-19 infection. Despite prompt treatment with three technically successful thrombectomies along with systemic intravenous heparin and two rounds of catheter-directed thrombolysis with tissue plasminogen activator, the fistula rapidly re-thrombosed each time and he required tunneled dialysis catheter placement. He subsequently required admission for hypoxemia from COVID-19 pneumonia and ultimately developed a catheter-related blood stream infection that likely contributed to his death. As the fistula had been previously well functioning and no angiographic explanation for the thrombosis was found, we speculate in this case the recurrent thromboses were related to the hypercoagulable state characteristic of severe COVID-19. Interventionalists performing hemodialysis access procedures should be aware of the prothrombotic state associated with COVID-19 and should consider it when deliberating how to best plan and approach access interventions in patients with symptomatic COVID-19.


2003 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Onaran ◽  
D. Erer ◽  
I. Şen ◽  
E.E. Elnur ◽  
E. Iriz ◽  
...  

Background Although the best type of vascular access for chronic hemodialysis patients is a native arteriovenous fistula, in an increasing number of patients all the superficial veins have been used and only the placement of vascular grafts or permanent catheters is left. Superficialization of the basilic vein is a possible alternative. Materials and Methods In 49 chronic hemodialysis patients who had no possibilities to have a native arteriovenous fistula created, we performed a basilic vein- brachial artery fistula in the arm. During the same operation the basilic vein was then superficialized for easier access for hemodialysis. Results Mean follow-up was 22.36±15.56 months. Forty-eight patients are still undergoing hemodialysis with their superficialized basilic vein native A-V fistula without any complications. Only one fistula was thrombosed just after the procedure because of poor vessel quality. Conclusion For hemodialysis patients who have no suitable superficial veins at the wrist or elbow, performing a basilic vein - brachial artery fistula and superficializing the vein to the subcutaneous tissue is an acceptable choice before deciding to use more complicated procedures like vascular grafts.


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