Introduction: Although autogenous brachial-basilic upper arm transpositions (BVT) have been extensively utilized, there has been significant disparity in published patency rates. Very little is known about the efficacy of autogenous brachial-cephalic upper arm transpositions (CVT). We evaluated our experience with transposed upper arm arteriovenous fistulas (tAVF) in order to assess patency and identify factors that affect efficacy. We then compared our tAVF patients with a cohort of upper arm arteriovenous grafts (AVG).
Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of tAVF performed at our institution from 1998 to 2004. The tAVF group consisted of 119 BVT and 71 CVT procedures. We compared these with 164 AVG. tAVF were placed only for veins >/=2.5 mm in diameter by duplex ultrasonography.
Results: Mean follow-up was 28 months. With the exception of mean vein diameter, the patients in the BVT and CVT groups had similar demographic parameters and complication rates. Primary and secondary patency rates were 52% and 62% at 5 years for BVT and 40% and 46% at 5 years for CVT, respectively (P = NS). Multivariate analysis revealed that hemodialysis dependence at the time of fistula placement and history of previous upper arm access independently affected primary patency. History of upper torso dialysis catheters independently affected secondary patency. Comparison of the tAVF and AVG groups revealed that tAVF patients were significantly younger, more likely to be male, less likely to be African American (AA) and less likely to have a history of previous AV access. The primary patency rate for tAVF was significantly higher than for AVG: 48% vs 14% at 5 years (P < .001). The secondary patency rate for tAVF was also significantly higher than for AVG: 57% vs 17% at 5 years (P < .001). Among the tAVF procedures, 9% required one or more revisions to maintain secondary patency, compared to 51% with the AVG group (P < .001). Multivariate analysis revealed that presence of AVG and a history of previous upper arm access negatively affected primary and secondary patency.
Conclusions: Autogenous BVT and CVT have similar, high patency rates. Transposed upper arm arteriovenous fistulas have higher patency rates than upper arm AVG and require significantly fewer revisions. Our data strongly support the contention that as long as the patient is a candidate for an upper arm tAVF, based on anatomical criteria, a tAVF should always be considered before an AVG.