title: Endovascular intervention for the failing vascular access.
abstract: Endovascular interventions have replaced surgical repair as the primary treatment of the failing or thrombosed vascular access. However, endovascular and surgical techniques are complementary: the limitations of one are the strengths of the other. Endovascular management of access-related problems is a critical component of a successful vascular access monitoring program. The identification and early treatment of developing stenoses, before access thrombosis are essential roles that are ideally suited to percutaneous, image-guided techniques. Despite recent advances in endovascular techniques and devices, angioplasty continues to be the primary method for treatment of access-related stenoses. When appropriate lesions are treated, angioplasty is a fast, easy, and safe procedure that can extend to patency of a hemodialysis graft or fistula.
authors.affiliation: Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Vesely
mesh_terms: D017130:Angioplasty / Q000379:methods*; D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D006083:Graft Occlusion, Vascular / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000628:therapy*; D006435:Renal Dialysis