The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in facilitating maturation of autogenous arteriovenous fistulae.

There were 12 immature autogenous arteriovenous fistulae. We performed 15 PTAs transvenously. Post-intervention anatomic and clinical successes were estimated, and the 6-month and 1-year primary and secondary patency rates were calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis.

All immature fistulae had underlying stenosis (n=20): arteriovenous anastomosis (n=1) and venous outflow (n=19): 1) within 5 cm from the anastomosis (n=10); 2) more than 5 cm but less than 10 cm from the anastomosis (n=5); 3) more than 10 cm from the anastomosis, including central veins (n=4). Six fistulae had two or more stenoses. Repeat intervention was necessary in two patients. The anatomical success rate was 94.3%, and the clinical success rate was 86.7%. The 6-month and 1-year primary patency rates were 72.7% and 54.5%, and the secondary patency rates were 100% and 81.8%, respectively.

All immature hemodialysis fistulae have underlying stenosis, most of which are located near the arteriovenous anastomosis. Early interventional procedures are helpful in the salvage and maintenance of immature arteriovenous fistulae, with a high degree of success.