title: Nonoperative salvage of subcutaneous hemodialysis fistulae.
abstract: During a 7-month study period 11 chronic hemodialysis patients presented with thrombosis of their arteriovenous grafts or fistulae. They were prospectively entered in a protocol to evaluate the efficacy of low-dose streptokinase and percutaneous angioplasty for reopening the hemodialysis access. All patients were evaluated with a fistulagram and had local, low-dose streptokinase (10,000 U/h) infused directly into the fistula, until the thrombus dissolved or for 36 h. If repeat fistulagram demonstrated stenoses, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was attempted. 5 patients were successfully treated, and 4 have remained patent without complication for a minimum follow-up of 9 months. 4 patients had the streptokinase stopped prematurely: 1 died (myocardial infarct), 1 was operated upon (perforated diverticulum), and 2 patients had perigraft complications. There were no major complications, although minor complications were common. Significant systemic effects on the coagulation profile did not occur. The regimen of locally infused, low-dose streptokinase and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was found to be a safe and effective alternative for the treatment of thrombosed hemodialysis arteriovenous grafts or fistulae. If this regimen is unsuccessful, it does not preclude operative revision.
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Collier
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Saracco
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Fragola
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Contractor
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Diamond
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon; D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005402:Fistula / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013300:Streptokinase / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D013300:Streptokinase