How to create and preserve distal fistulas in a large number of patients: the experience of a single centre

Background: Distal arterio-venous fistula (AVF) is considered the gold standard for vascular access in hemodialysis. The aim of this retrospective study is to report our experience on two innovative techniques, Intraoperative Transluminal Angioplasty (ITA) and Vessel Pre-Dilatation (VPD). Methods: We collected data from all the consecutive patients directly admitted to our Department from January 2014 to October 2018 in order to create or repair an AVF. Early Failure (EF), Failure to Mature (FTM), Late Failure (LF), Primary and Secondary patency rate were evaluated. Results: All patients underwent VPD; of the total 647 AFVs, 128 received an ITA for the presence of suboptimal vessels. 98.3% of AVFs were located on the forearm. EF occurred in 83 cases; in 67 of these a new AVF was successfully created upstream from the previous one. LF occurred in 100 cases; of these, the access was abandoned in 32 cases and we performed a new AVF upstream from the previous one in 68 cases. FTM occurred in 57 cases, 31 of which were treated with Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA) whilst 26 were resolved performing a new anastomosis upstream. Primary and secondary patency at 1, 2, 3 and 4 years were, respectively, 80%, 74%, 68%, 64% and 94%, 91%, 89%, 88%. By dividing patients into an ITA group and a control group, we did not find any difference in primary and secondary patency. Conclusions: VPD and ITA could be useful to increase the incidence and the prevalence of distal AVF.