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Objective: The objective of the study was to analyze and evaluate the possible factors in the long-term patency of arteriovenous (AV) access for hemodialysis (HD). Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study recruiting patients from January 2019 to December 2019. All patients who have a working HD vascular access, either AV fistula (AVF) or AV graft which has been working for at least 2 years were included and collected demographic data along with other parameters such as timing of creation, interventions, dialysis sessions, and antiplatelet therapy among others. Results: We included 81 patients with AV access patent more than 2 years; 22.5% were aged >65 years, 39.6% were diabetic, 68.5% were hypertensive, and 26.1% had vascular disease. Analysis revealed that the patient factors such as current tobacco usage and side of creation and technical factors such as maturation time, number of dialysis sessions, and single-center dialysis have a significant effect on the patency of the AV access, while the factors such as past tobacco usage, diabetes, hypertension, use of jugular catheter before access creation, and cannulation technique could not establish any statistical effect on the patency of AV access. Conclusion: There is a complex interaction of factors that may affect the patency of an individual AV access. These need to be carefully considered when selecting surgical site or technique, adjuvant treatments, and follow-up protocols for AVFs.

Introduction: Arteriovenous (AV) access maturity and patency is critical for patients on hemodialysis. Maintaining a functioning AV access for these patients is of paramount importance. Salvage of failing AV accesses has been traditionally done mainly with angiographic techniques requiring significant amounts of contrast agent and radiation exposure. Ultrasound-guided angioplasty has been described, but its utility needs to be further studied. Methods: Group 1: 42 patients undergoing ultrasound-assisted angioplasty (UAA) for AV access salvage were assessed prospectively for 9 months (October 2016 to June 2017). Group 2: Retrospective data of 47 patients who underwent angioplasty for failing AV access without ultrasound assistance, over 9 months was collected (January to September 2016). This group was matched with Group 1 in terms of age, sex, type of AV access, and cause of AV access dysfunction. Results: There was a statistically significant decrease in the average number of angiographic runs (2.5 vs. 7.9) and fluoroscopy time in minutes (3.8 vs. 13.1) recorded during UAA (P < 0.01). The average quantity of contrast agent used in milliliters (17.6 vs. 49.8) was also significantly less when ultrasound assistance was used (P < 0.01). Conclusion: UAA for failing AV access reduces the radiation exposure and the amount of contrast agent used in these patients who require multiple of these sessions and need dialysis to get the contrast agent out of their circulation. This technique is feasible and reliable; hence should be used more frequently and effectively. Our model of UAA for AV access salvage allows all cases including complex cases to be performed with the added advantage of reduced radiation exposure and contrast agent; serving as a boon to these already distressed patients. Immediate complication management and adjunctive open procedures also become possible because of the hybrid operating room setup with fluoroscopy facility.

Background: In dialysis-dependent end-stage renal disease patients, arteriovenous access (AV access) is the chief mode of hemodialysis access. Basilic vein transposition (BVT) is an alternative in patient with failed multiple AV access. The aim of the study is to assess the outcomes of BVT at 1 year of follow-up. Materials and Methods: This prospective, nonrandomized, observational study was conducted in the Department of Vascular Surgery at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi. Forty consenting patients with end-stage renal failure on maintenance hemodialysis having no other options utilizing superficial veins of the upper limb for AV access formation were included. All the complications, secondary interventions and patency rates were calculated at 1 year of follow-up. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square test, and patency rates were assessed using Kaplan–Meier survival curve. Results: Most of the patients were in the age group of 51–70 year with the mean age of 51.98 year. The mean basilic vein diameter was 2.84 mm. Fistula thrombosis was the most common complication and was seen in 17.5% cases followed by limb edema in 13% of cases. Re-interventions (fistula thrombectomy, balloon angioplasty etc.) were performed in 27.5% of the patients. The primary patency rate and secondary patency rate at 1 year of follow-up were 77.5% and 85%, respectively. Conclusions: BVT is a feasible and suitable surgical option to provide a durable and autogenous AV access to end-stage renal disease patients requiring maintenance hemodialysis.

Introduction: Bleeding from a ruptured or infected arteriovenous (AV) access is a life-threatening situation leading to increased mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. All these patients need emergent and expeditious management. The procedures described for bleeding complications in AV access are associated with high morbidity and mortality. In some cases, there is a need for a major surgery or bypass. Aim: The aim was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of brachial artery ligation (BAL) in bleeding AV access. Materials and Methods: This was a single-center retrospective analysis of 106 patients who underwent BAL for bleeding AV access (AV graft [AVG]/brachiocephalic [BC] AV fistula [AVF]) from January 2007 to 2017. Results: During this study period, BAL was done in a total of 106 patients, out of which 51 patients underwent AVG explantation with BA ligation and 55 with ligation in BC fistulas. There were 73 males and 33 females with a mean age of 45 years (11–90). The primary etiology was hypertension (66%), diabetes (23.58%), and other causes (10.3%). Twenty patients presented with acute bleeding due to graft erosion and 31 patients had purulent discharge from puncture site with sepsis. Infection was involving anastomosis in all patients. Out of 55 patients who underwent AVF, 5 patients had infection at puncture site 3–4 cm near the anastomosis. Fifty patients had infected pseudoaneurysms at the anastomotic site that developed within 1 week of the creation of fistula. All patients were evaluated and assessed for signs of ischemia in the postoperative period till the time of discharge. Conclusion: BAL is a safe alternative in patients with access site bleeding as it reduces not only the operative time but also the morbidity and mortality associated with CKD patients. Ligation of the brachial artery at the elbow can be used as a primary approach in complicated vascular access.