U Clips for arteriovenous anastomosis: a pilot, randomized study.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to assess a novel, new, nitinol clip for performing arteriovenous anastomoses.


METHODS
This was a pilot, randomized, blinded trial. The trial was register with Clinicaltrials.gov identifier - NCT00829153. Thirty-one patients undergoing autologous arteriovenous fistulas for renal access, where the inflow artery had a lumen diameter of 2 mm or more and the outflow vein had a diameter of 3 mm or more, were included in this study. At the time of operative preparation and exposure of the vessels, the patients were randomized to a conventional anastomosis with 6/0 Prolene or to U Clip anastomosis. The primary outcome measure was three successful dialysis treatments using the fistula.


RESULTS
The primary outcome was achieved in 8/19 (42%) of the Prolene group and 7/12 (58%) in the U Clip group (P = 0.379 chi-squared test Pearson uncorrected).


CONCLUSIONS
This pilot study has shown no advantage to the U Clip anastomotic technique when compared with the traditional continuous Prolene technique.
Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. stuart.walker@dhhs.tas.gov.au
Stuart Robert
SR
Walker
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011126:Polypropylenes; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000379:methods*; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D011126:Polypropylenes