
pmid: 21748724
Purpose Failing hemodialysis grafts continue to pose a challenge in the care of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). We review our experience using percutaneous stent-grafts for the treatment of venous outflow stenosis and occlusion in order to assess their efficacy in nonautologous graft salvage. Methods This is a retrospective review of patients treated with percutaneous Viabahn® stent-grafts for failing hemodialysis arteriovenous grafts (AVGs), between 6/2006 and 12/2009. All stent-grafts were deployed across the venous anastomosis to address the outflow obstruction. Patency and re-intervention rates were estimated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results Twenty patients had stent-grafts placed. Successful stent-grafting was defined as <30% residual stenosis and the ability to dialyze through the graft post-treatment. Technical success for stent-grafting was 100%. Median follow-up was 23 months (range 3 to 37 months). Stent-graft patency at 6 months: 94.7%, 12 months: 94.7%, 18 months: 82.1%, 24 months: 82.1%, 36 months: 82.1%. Freedom from re-intervention was 69% at 24 months and 50% at 36 months. Two AVGs failed and had to be removed without further interventions, because of complete occlusion and infection. Two patients (10%) required re-intervention for arterial inflow stenosis. One patient (5%) required balloon angioplasty and stenting of stenosis distal to the stent-graft. One patient (5%) developed in-stent stenosis and was treated with placement of a new stent. Graft salvage rate was 80% at 36 months. Conclusions Stent-grafts can be successfully used to improve freedom from re-intervention rates and overall patency rates of failing AVGs.
Male, Salvage Therapy, Graft Occlusion, Vascular, New York, Constriction, Pathologic, Kaplan-Meier Estimate, Middle Aged, Prosthesis Design, Blood Vessel Prosthesis, Radiography, Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation, Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical, Recurrence, Renal Dialysis, Humans, Kidney Failure, Chronic, Female, Stents, Angioplasty, Balloon, Retrospective Studies
Male, Salvage Therapy, Graft Occlusion, Vascular, New York, Constriction, Pathologic, Kaplan-Meier Estimate, Middle Aged, Prosthesis Design, Blood Vessel Prosthesis, Radiography, Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation, Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical, Recurrence, Renal Dialysis, Humans, Kidney Failure, Chronic, Female, Stents, Angioplasty, Balloon, Retrospective Studies
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