Brachio-azygos transthoracic arteriovenous grafts for hemodialysis patients with bilateral central venous obstruction: A small case series

Background: It is difficult to find a reliable outflow vein for vascular access in hemodialysis patients with bilateral central venous obstruction. The lower extremity veins are currently used as the most common alternative veins to make a new vascular access. However, in patients not amenable to make lower extremity access, intrathoracic vein should be considered as an outflow vein, but there are limitations in its use due to postoperative complications. Methods: We introduce a series of cases that underwent arteriovenous graft operation using an intrathoracic vein, the azygos arch, as an outflow vein. Brachio-azygos transthoracic arteriovenous graft is a surgical procedure that anastomoses the azygos arch and the brachial artery with 7 mm ringed polytetrafluoroethylene graft via lateral thoracotomy without median sternotomy. Results: The chest tubes of the patients were removed on the third postoperative day and they discharged within a week. About 1 month later, hemodialysis was initiated through the BATAVG, and it has been used without access dysfunction. Conclusion: Brachio-azygos transthoracic arteriovenous grafts were performed using the azygos arches without major complications. The azygos arch can be a good alternative outflow vein to make a new vascular access for hemodialysis patients with bilateral central venous obstruction.

Outcome of stenting in central venous obstruction of benign etiology

Summary: Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate long term outcome in patients treated for benign superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome by endovascular techniques. Patients and methods: Between 2015 and 2018, 62 patients suffering from central venous obstruction of benign etiology underwent balloon angioplasty with stent placement for venous obstruction in our department. Patency was assessed clinically, using duplex ultrasound in all patients or with CT-phlebography in selected cases. Results: Median age was 60 years (23–83), forty-one patients (66%) had central venous devices. Swelling of the arm and face were the main symptoms (71%). During the median follow up of 22 months (9–38), cumulative primary patency was 71% after venous stenting. The cumulative assisted primary and the secondary patency were 85% and 92%, respectively. Conclusions: Recanalization and stenting of central vein obstruction has turned out to be the technique of reference and provides satisfactory mid-term patency rates. After adjusting for the risk factors, presence of AV-fistula remained a significant risk factor for recurrent stenosis or loss of patency after intervention.

Efficacy and safety associated with the use of the Surfacer® Inside-Out® Access Catheter System: Results from a prospective, multicenter Food and Drug Administration–approved Investigational Device Exemption study

Purpose: Thoracic central venous obstruction is commonly associated with the use of central venous catheters. The Surfacer System to Facilitate Access in Venous Occlusions Study was an Food and Drug Administration–approved US Investigational Device Exemption study designed to evaluate the performance and safety of the Surfacer System when used to facilitate central venous access in patients with thoracic central venous obstruction. Methods: Thirty patients were enrolled in this prospective, multicenter, single-arm study between December 2017 and May 2019. Device performance and adverse events were collected peri-procedurally and at discharge. Enrollment included 15 female and 15 male subjects with a mean age of 55.5 ± 12.9 (range: 30–79) years. Twenty-eight patients (93.3%) required central venous access for hemodialysis access. Locations of thoracic central venous obstruction were graded from 1 to 4 based on severity and extension of venous occlusions. Seven patients (23.3%) had type 1, 6 (20.0%) type 2, 16 (53.3%) type 3, and 1 (3.3%) type 4 obstruction. Results: Successful central venous catheter placement was achieved in 27 of 30 patients (90.0%). The procedure was discontinued in three (10.0%) due to tortuous anatomy discovered intraprocedurally. All 27 patients with successful CVC placement achieved adequate catheter patency and tip positioning with a mean overall procedural time and time to achieve central venous access with the Surfacer System being 44.1 ± 30.6 and 19.1 ± 25.1 min, respectively. There were no device-related adverse events or catheter malposition. Conclusion: The results of the SAVEUS Study confirm the safety and efficacy of the Surfacer System and the Inside-Out procedure when used for the placement of right-sided central venous access in patients with thoracic central venous obstruction.

P1359PATTERNS OF CENTRAL VENOUS OBSTRUCTION AND OUTCOMES OF ENDOVASCULAR INTERVENTIONS IN CKD PATIENTS ON HAEMODIALYSIS

Background and Aims Central Venous Obstruction (CVO) is one of the major causes of morbidity in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients on maintenance Hemodialysis (HD). The aim of the study was to assess the patterns of CVO and the role of Endovascular interventions to restore the patency of vascular access in patients on HD with CVO. Method We report 15 cases of CVO in HD patients between April 2015 to April 2018. Data regarding patients’ basic information, primary disease, dialysis duration, access at initiation, number and sites of central venous catheterizations, vascular segments stenosed or thrombosed, type of endovascular interventions done and outcomes were collected from electronic record system. Results Out of 15 cases of CVO, 11 had the first dialysis with a temporary catheter either to Internal Jugular vein or femoral vein. The average time of presentation to our hospital from initiation of dialysis was 14.8 months. 8 patients presented with symptomatic SVC obstruction. The most common site of CVO was left Brachio-cephalic vein followed by right brachio-cephalic, right subclavian and left subclavian vein. 12 patients underwent Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA) and 3 required bare metal stenting (BMS) along with PTA. One patient required repeat PTA after 4 months. 11 patients did not require further procedure in the mean follow up period of 110 days. PTA was found to be successful in 11 out of 12 cases. Post PTA 9 patients underwent tunneled HD catheter insertion. Conclusion Patients of CKD who present late to the nephrologists require HD to be initiated through temporary catheters to central veins. Repeated central venous catheterization is associated with CVO. Endovascular intervention is an effective modality for maintaining HD access patency in such cases.

The Surfacer® Inside-Out® Access System for right-sided catheter placement in dialysis patients with thoracic venous obstruction

Purpose: Thoracic central venous obstruction is a common clinical complication in dialysis patients utilizing hemodialysis catheters. Thoracic central venous obstruction can lead to inability to utilize affected veins for catheter placement and sequential use of less preferred alternative venous access sites. The latter can affect the ability to create and/or mature permanent arteriovenous access and contribute to the future loss of thoracic veins for venous access. While alternative procedures exist for gaining venous access in patients who have exhausted routine venous access options, these procedures are complex, time-consuming, and associated with high patient risk. The Surfacer System provides a new approach in patients with right-sided thoracic central venous obstruction, enabling the ability to establish repeated access from the right side of the neck to the right atrium. Methods: We describe the use of the Surfacer System to facilitate placement of hemodialysis catheters in a series of nine patients with thoracic central venous obstruction involving one or more central veins. Patient characteristics and procedure-related outcomes were recorded for all patients. Results: Central venous access was successfully achieved in eight of nine patients using the Surfacer System. Significant venous tortuosity resulted in the inability to achieve venous access in one patient and prolonged procedural time to achieve access in another patient. The mean time required for Surfacer-related procedural steps and associated fluoroscopy time in the remaining seven patients was 13.3 and 3.7 min, respectively. Conclusion: The Surfacer System provides an efficient low-complexity alternative for gaining repeated right-sided central venous access in hemodialysis patients with obstructed thoracic veins.