BACKGROUND: AVFs are preferred for haemodialysis access but are limited by high rates of early failure.
METHODS: A post hoc analysis of 353 participants from ANZ and Malaysia included in the FAVOURED randomised-controlled trial undergoing de novo AVF surgery was performed. Composite AVF failure (thrombosis, abandonment, cannulation failure) and its individual components were compared between ANZ (n = 209) and Malaysian (n = 144) participants using logistic regression adjusted for patient- and potentially modifiable clinical factors.
RESULTS: Participants' mean age was 55 ± 14.3 years and 64% were male. Compared with ANZ participants, Malaysian participants were younger with lower body mass index, higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus and lower prevalence of cardiovascular disease. AVF failure was less frequent in the Malaysian cohort (38% vs 54%; adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.31-0.93). This difference was driven by lower odds of cannulation failure (29% vs 47%, OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.25-0.80), while the odds of AVF thrombosis (17% vs 20%, OR 1.24, 95% CI 0.62-2.48) and abandonment (25% vs 23%, OR 1.17, 95% CI 0.62-2.16) were similar.
CONCLUSIONS: The risk of AVF failure was significantly lower in Malaysia compared to ANZ and driven by a lower risk of cannulation failure. Differences in practice patterns, including patient selection, surgical techniques, anaesthesia or cannulation techniques may account for regional outcome differences and warrant further investigation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We report 20 consecutive patients with end-stage renal failure (ESRF) who had central vein occlusion and were not amenable to endovascular intervention. They underwent extra-anatomical vein to vein surgical bypass. The axillary and iliac or femoral veins were approached via infraclavicular and extraperitoneal groin incisions respectively. In all the patients, an externally supported 6 or 8 mm polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) graft was used as a conduit and was tunnelled extra-anatomical. All patients had double antiplatelet (Aspirin and Clopidogrel) therapy post-operatively.
RESULTS: Substantial improvement in the facial, neck and upper limb swelling was noticed following this diversion surgery. The vein to vein bypass was patent at 12 months in 10 out of 20 patients. Graft infection occurred in two (10%) cases. Re-thrombectomy or assisted patency procedure (stent/plasty) was done in four (20%) cases. The patients with preoperative fistula flow rate of more than 1500 ml/min and post-operative graft flow rate of more than a 1000 ml/min were patent at 12 months (P=0.025 and p=0.034 respectively).
CONCLUSION: Axillary to iliac/femoral vein bypass can salvage functioning ipsilateral fistula threatened by occluded upper central vein.
METHODS: We present 2 cases in which we encountered premature intravascular detachment of the microcatheter tip and coil migration while treating a dural arteriovenous fistula and aneurysm, respectively. We used a stentriever to remove the detached microcatheter tip and suction using the reperfusion catheter to remove the migrated coil, both techniques that have not been reported in the literature thus far.
RESULTS: Detached microcatheter tip and migrated coil were successfully retrieved using a stentriever and aspiration catheter.
CONCLUSIONS: These novel techniques could potentially reduce mortality and morbidity associated with neurointervention.
METHODS: In 567 adult participants planned for AVF creation, all were randomised to fish oil (4g/d) or placebo, and 406 to aspirin (100mg/d) or placebo, starting one day pre-surgery and continued for three months. Outcomes evaluated within 12 months included AVF intervention rates, CVC exposure, late dialysis suitability failure, and times to primary patency loss, abandonment and successful cannulation.
RESULTS: Final analyses included 536 participants randomised to fish oil or placebo (mean age 55 years, 64% male, 45% diabetic) and 388 randomised to aspirin or placebo. Compared with placebo, fish oil reduced intervention rates (0.82 vs 1.14/1000 patient-days, incidence rate ratio [IRR] 0.72, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.54-0.97), particularly interventions for acute thrombosis (0.09 vs 0.17/1000 patient-days, IRR 0.53, 95% CI 0.34-0.84). Aspirin significantly reduced rescue intervention rates (IRR 0.45, 95% CI 0.27-0.78). Neither agent significantly affected CVC exposure, late dialysis suitability failure or time to primary patency loss, AVF abandonment or successful cannulation.
CONCLUSION: Although fish oil and low-dose aspirin given for 3 months reduced intervention rates in newly created AVF, they had no significant effects on CVC exposure, AVF usability and time to primary patency loss or access abandonment. Reduction in access interventions benefits patients, reduces costs and warrants further study.
Case Description: A 66-year-old male with the right lower extremity weakness was diagnosed with a spinal dural AVF at the L1 level. It was initially treated with open surgery followed by CyberKnife radiosurgery at another institution. Five years later, he presented with a persistent pAVF fistula now involving the T11 level; the major feeder originated on the left at the T7-T8 level (e.g., involving a left-sided "duplicated" anterior spinal artery). Utilizing a three-dimensional (3D) computer tomography (CT) guided approach; he underwent a left-sided posterolateral T10-T12 laminectomy, sufficient to allow for 30-40° of anterior spinal cord rotation. This was performed under neurophysiological monitoring without any significant changes. Surgery included indocyanine green video angiography, temporary feeder clipping, and complete occlusion of the AVF, followed by complete clipping/resection as confirmed on postoperative magnetic resonance imaging.
Conclusion: Utilizing a 3D CT image, a ventral pulmonary arteriovenous malformation was excised utilizing a left-sided posterolateral approach allowing for 30-40° of cord rotation.