An unusual cause of subacute airway obstruction in a hemodialysis patient with brachio-cephalic arteriovenous fistula: A rare presentation of central venous occlusion

A young lady with an arteriovenous (AV) fistula on hemodialysis was referred for surgical management following a failed endovascular approach to relieve central venous occlusion. She had an obstructed left brachiocephalic vein with a history of numerous central vein catheter placements. Alternative routes for new arteriovenous fistula creation had been exhausted due to previous contralateral upper limb fistula rupture and ligation. To the best of our knowledge, no similar cases of airway obstruction in central venous occlusion occurring in hemodialysis patients with AV fistula have been reported. The importance of identifying the possible emergency red flags in hemodialysis patients with central venous occlusion is important to prevent unwanted consequences.