title: Basilic Vein Elevation for Arteriovenous Fistula Creation: Results of 60 Cases Following 1 Year.
abstract: Basilic vein elevation (BVE) is a procedure where the basilic vein (BV) is surgically exposed, mobilized, and elevated into a more superficial position for the purpose of facilitating arteriovenous fistula (AVF) cannulation. The purpose of this study is to review the use of BVE as an adjunct to fistula maturation. Between January 2009 and December 2013, 60 patients received BVE. After performing the anastomosis between brachial artery and BV, the elevated vein was placed just anterior to the surgical incision, 3 to 4 mm deep. Patients' morbidity, mortality, and patency rates were evaluated. The 90-day mortality was 0%. Maturation rates were 91.6%. The mean time to maturation was 52 days (range, 25-75 days). Primary patency rate at 12 months was 90% and secondary patency rate was 95%. The mean vein size was 4.5 ± 0.5 mm. AVF surgery via BVE offers satisfactory results in patients with chronic hemodialysis.
authors.affiliation: Departement of Vascular Surgery, West Georgian National Centre of Interventional Medicine, Kutaisi, Georgia.
authors.forename: Grigol
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Keshelava
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, West Georgian National Centre of Interventional Medicine, Kutaisi, Georgia.
authors.forename: Kote
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gvalia
authors.affiliation: Departement of Vascular Surgery, West Georgian National Centre of Interventional Medicine, Kutaisi, Georgia.
authors.forename: Davit
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kovziridze
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, West Georgian National Centre of Interventional Medicine, Kutaisi, Georgia.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dadunashvili
authors.affiliation: Departement of Vascular Surgery, West Georgian National Centre of Interventional Medicine, Kutaisi, Georgia.
authors.forename: Vakhtang
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kaloiani
keywords: arteriovenous fistula; basilic vein elevation; brachial artery