Long-term results of endovascular treatment for arteriovenous dialysis access thrombosis in 143 patients: A single center experience

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to determine the long-term patency duration and rate of thrombosis of autologous arteriovenous fistulas and synthetic grafts treated with endovascular methods in a large patient population. Methods: A total of 144 arteriovenous accesses (37 radiocephalic, 51 brachiobasilic, 41 brachiocephalic, and 15 femorofemoral) from 143 patients were included in the study. A total of 304 endovascular thrombolytic treatment procedures were performed for 94 (65%) arteriovenous fistula and 50 (35%) arteriovenous graft accesses. Results: The procedural technical success rate was 98.7%. The mean follow-up duration was 32.5 (range, 3-132 months). The primary patency rates for arteriovenous fistulas and arteriovenous grafts were 78% and 78% at 6 months, 66% and 63% at 1 year, and 45% and 0% at 36 months, respectively. The assisted primary patency rates for arteriovenous fistulas and arteriovenous grafts were 82% and 84% at 6 months, 71% and 69% at 1 year, 51% and 29% at 36 months, and 30% and 1% at 60 months, respectively. The secondary patency rates for arteriovenous fistulas and arteriovenous grafts were 94% and 93% at 6 months, 85% and 85% at 1 year, 58% and 59% at 36 months, and 47% and 48% at 60 months, respectively. Conclusion: Although the primary patency durations for arteriovenous fistulas were better after endovascular thrombolytic treatment than those for arteriovenous grafts, the long-term outcomes of assisted primary and secondary patency durations after repeated procedures were similar for both types of arteriovenous accesses.