Transradial intervention for native fistula failure

Abstract

The native radiocephalic (Brescia-Cimino) fistula is usually constructed with an anastomosis of the cephalic vein and radial artery. Catheter interventions for native fistula failure have until now been performed via the transcephalic or transbrachial approach. Transradial intervention for native fistula failure was prospectively evaluated for a selected consecutive 11 patients. Six patients had a single lesion and 5 patients had double lesions. Twelve lesions were stenotic and 4 were occlusive with thrombus. Balloon angioplasty alone was successful in 10 lesions. In thrombosed fistulas, 2 lesions underwent manual catheter-directed thrombo-aspiration and 2 further lesions underwent a combination of catheter-directed thrombo-aspiration and mechanical thrombectomy. Cutting Balloon angioplasty was performed for 3 resistant venous stenoses and for 1 radial artery stenosis. Technical and clinical success were achieved in all patients. No vessel rupture or perforation was observed in this study, nor was distal embolization in the radial artery or symptomatic pulmonary embolism. No radial artery occlusion or fistula infection was seen during the follow-up. The primary patency rates were 82% at 3 months and 64% at 6 months. Transradial intervention for native fistula failure is considered safe and feasible in a selected population; yet requires further validation.