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Objective:. We sought to confirm and extend the understanding of clinical outcomes following creation of a common distal autogenous access, the radiocephalic arteriovenous fistula (RCAVF). Background:. Interdisciplinary guidelines recommend distal autogenous arteriovenous fistulae as the preferred hemodialysis (HD) access, yet uncertainty about durability and function present barriers to adoption. Methods:. Pooled data from the 2014-2019 multicenter randomized-controlled PATENCY-1 and PATENCY-2 trials were analyzed. New RC-AVFs were created in 914 patients, and outcomes were tracked prospectively for 3-years. Cox proportional hazards and Fine-Gray regression models were constructed to explore patient, anatomic, and procedural associations with access patency and use. Results:. Mean (SD) age was 57 (13) years; 45% were on dialysis at baseline. Kaplan-Meier estimates of 3-year primary, primary-assisted, and secondary patency were 27.6%, 56.4%, and 66.6%, respectively. Cause-specific 1-year cumulative incidence estimates of unassisted and overall RC-AVF use were 46.8% and 66.9%, respectively. Patients with larger baseline cephalic vein diameters had improved primary (per mm, hazard ratio [HR] 0.89, 95% confidence intervals 0.81–0.99), primary-assisted (HR 0.75, 0.64–0.87), and secondary (HR 0.67, 0.57–0.80) patency; and higher rates of unassisted (subdistribution hazard ratio 1.21, 95% confidence intervals 1.02–1.44) and overall RCAVF use (subdistribution hazard ratio 1.26, 1.11–1.45). Similarly, patients not requiring HD at the time of RCAVF creation had better primary, primary-assisted, and secondary patency. Successful RCAVF use occurred at increased rates when accesses were created using regional anesthesia and at higher volume centers. Conclusions:. These insights can inform patient counseling and guide shared decision-making regarding HD access options when developing an individualized end-stage kidney disease life-plan.

We present two cases of thoracic outlet decompression performed to facilitate hemodialysis through upper limb arteriovenous fistulas. In patients undergoing arteriovenous fistula formation for dialysis access, venous hypertension is a well-known complication. We used a supraclavicular approach in our two reported cases to remove the first rib to facilitate hemodialysis. Dialysis patients presenting with central venous stenosis should be assessed for evidence of extrinsic compression by the first rib as management options differ from those with central venous stenosis due to an intravenous catheter.