title: Primary balloon angioplasty plus balloon angioplasty maturation to upgrade small-caliber veins (<3 mm) for arteriovenous fistulas.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Small-diameter veins are often a limiting factor for the successful creation of arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs). This study evaluated the use of intraoperative primary balloon angioplasty (PBA) as a technique to upgrade small-diameter veins during AVF creation. Sequential balloon angioplasty maturation (BAM) was evaluated as a technique to salvage failed fistulas, expedite maturation, and improve the patency of AVFs after PBA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-two PBAs were performed in 55 patients with an intent-to-treat using an all-autologous policy. PBAs of veins were performed just before AVF creation using 2.5- to 4-mm angioplasty balloons (1- to 1.5-mm larger than the nominal vein diameter). PBAs were performed through the spatulated end of the vein for a length of up to 8 cm using hydrophilic guidewires and hand inflations without fluoroscopy. BAM was performed in 53 of the 62 PBAs at 2, 4, and 6 weeks after the PBA. Successful outcome was determined as the functional ability to use the fistula for hemodialysis without surgical revision.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 62 PBAs, 53 (85.4%), comprising 47 of the original AVFs and 6 new site AVFs created at other sites, remained patent and subsequently underwent BAM with a resulting functional AVF. Fifteen of the 47 original AVFs: 14 due to occlusion; one AVF with a steal was ligated. Seven of the 14 fistulas that occluded were salvaged using recanalization techniques during sequential BAMs. Two of the seven fistulas that were not salvaged required AVGs (3%), and five patients underwent redo AVFs using alternative veins. These five cases were also performed using PBAs and BAMs technique. One patient with a functioning fistula underwent intentional ligation for steal syndrome and also underwent an alternative site AVF, PBA, and BAM. At 3 months, 53 AVFs were functional and successfully used for dialysis. Overall, a working AVF was obtained at the initial site in 47 of 55 patients (85.4%), and 53 (96.3%) received working AVFs that were functioning for dialysis access.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Small or suboptimal veins can undergo PBA and then be matured to create functioning AVFs <or=2 months. Overall, >90% autogenous AVF rates can be achieved using PBA and BAM. BAM can be successfully used to mature AVFs created from small veins and salvage thrombosed AVFs in many cases. The use of these techniques may decrease the number of patients requiring AVGs and indwelling catheters.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA. loredemarco@yahoo.com.ar
authors.forename: Lorena P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: De Marco Garcia
authors.forename: Luis R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Davila-Santini
authors.forename: Qin
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: Julio
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Calderin
authors.forename: Kambhampaty V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Krishnasastry
authors.forename: Thomas F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Panetta
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon; D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006083:Graft Occlusion, Vascular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010690:Phlebography; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000098:blood supply*; D014654:Vascular Patency; D014680:Veins / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*