title: Radial artery approach for endovascular salvage of occluded autogenous radial-cephalic fistulae.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The endovascular salvage of occluded autogenous radial-cephalic fistulae is a more challenging procedure than that for stenotic fistulae. To obtain an access to the fistula is one of the keys to success. Both retrograde venous approach and brachial artery approach have some disadvantages. The radial artery approach has been used in the endovascular therapy of fistula dysfunction, but few data focused on their feasibility and safety for the totally occluded fistulae.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively reviewed the patients with occluded autogenous radial-cephalic fistulae receiving endovascular salvage via the radial artery approach in our institution. From January 2004 to July 2007, 48 patients fulfilling the above criteria were enrolled. Balloon maceration was used for patients with small clots. Mechanical thrombectomy with an Arrow-Trerotola percutaneous thrombolytic device or an AngioJet rheolytic catheter was used for patients with large clot burden. Outcome variables included anatomic and clinical success, complications and primary and secondary patency.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All the transradial punctures were successful. Anatomic and clinical success was achieved in 96% of the cases. The post-interventional primary patency rates were 92%, 77%, 55% and 44% at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months, respectively. The post-interventional secondary patency rates were 96%, 93%, 89% and 89% at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months, respectively. The 12-month primary patency of the short-segment thrombus group was better than that of the long-segment thrombus group (57% versus 19%, P = 0.005). The complication rate was 4%. No puncture-site-related complications were noted, and all the radial arteries were palpable at follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An endovascular intervention through the radial artery approach is a safe and feasible strategy choice for restoring occluded autogenous radial-cephalic fistulae.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Hsinchu General Hospital, Hsinchu, Taiwan. wucc01@ms66.hinet.net
authors.forename: Chih-Cheng
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Szu-Chi
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Meng-Kan
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chung-Wei
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Shih-Yun
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Pu
authors.forename: Kuei-Chin
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Charng-Jiang
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Cheng-Han
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon; D001164:Arteriovenous Fistula / Q000628:therapy*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005542:Forearm / Q000098:blood supply*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017534:Radial Artery / Q000002:abnormalities*; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D017131:Thrombectomy / Q000379:methods*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000628:therapy*; D014654:Vascular Patency; D014680:Veins / Q000002:abnormalities