Successful Hemodialysis Arteriovenous Fistula Creation in a Patient With Continuous-Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device Support.
Heart failure necessitating left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support can lead to kidney failure requiring dialysis. Some of these patients may require long-term hemodialysis (HD). Optimal vascular access for a patient on long-term HD therapy with an LVAD remains a complex issue. The majority of LVADs are of the continuous-flow type, and it has been theorized that native arteriovenous fistula maturation may be impaired in a setting of decreased pulsatile arterial flow. We describe a case of successful creation and use of an arteriovenous fistula in an HD-dependent patient with a continuous-flow LVAD.
Division of Nephrology, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA. Electronic address: aichin@ucdavis.edu.
Andrew I
AI
Chin
Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA.
Kathleen
K
Tong
Division of Transplant, Department of Surgery, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA.
John P
JP
McVicar
D000328:Adult; D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Left ventricular assist device (LVAD); arteriovenous fistula (AVF); case report; dialysis access; end-stage renal disease; heart failure; hemodialysis; vascular access