title: External beam radiation therapy for PTFE dialysis grafts: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to identify the effects of external beam radiation on PTFE dialysis graft dysfunction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven patients who underwent PTFE dialysis graft angioplasty were randomized to receive either two 8 Gy doses of external beam radiation or no radiation. The primary endpoint was time to graft thrombosis with a secondary endpoint of time to first intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in either of the endpoints, although grafts in the radiation group had a shorter time to thrombosis or intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results demonstrate technical feasibility for use of external beam radiation in the setting of dialysis vascular access graft dysfunction. Larger randomized studies are required to identify whether there is a clinical benefit from this intervention.
authors.affiliation: Dialysis Vascular Access Research Group, Division of Nephrology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0585, USA. prabir.roychaudhury@uc.edu
authors.forename: Prabir
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Roy-Chaudhury
authors.forename: Heather J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.forename: Darryl
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zuckerman
authors.forename: Rashid
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Faiyaz
authors.forename: Rino
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Munda
authors.forename: Shashi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kant
authors.forename: Burnett
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Ashwatha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Narayana
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017130:Angioplasty; D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006083:Graft Occlusion, Vascular / Q000209:etiology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene