Journal List > J Korean Soc Radiol > v.77(6) > 1087873

Kang and Kwon: Successful Hemodialysis Using an Iatrogenic Graft-to-Vein Fistula in Failing Arteriovenous Graft with Chronic Thrombotic Occlusion

Abstract

An iatrogenic graft-to-vein fistula that develops between a vascular access graft and an adjacent vein is a rare but significant complication. We report a case of an arteriovenous hemodialysis graft (AVG) with an iatrogenic graft-to-vein fistula and a thrombosed venous limb. The AVG was preserved and used for hemodialysis through the fistula and the cephalic vein. The thrombus in the venous limb could not be removed.

REFERENCES

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Fig. 1.
Fistulography in a 77-year-old male with end-stage renal disease. A. Fistulography via the arterial limb of graft shows a fistula (black arrow) between the arterial limb of the graft (white arrowheads) and an adja-cent native cephalic vein (black arrowheads) of left upper arm. Contrast material (empty arrow) leaked and spread out around the cephalic vein through the cannulation site of venous limb of the graft. B. Fistulography via the native cephalic vein shows diffuse stenosis in cephalic vein (black arrowheads) and collateral veins (empty arrows). C. Fistulography via the arterial limb of the graft (white arrowhead) after balloon angioplasty of the cephalic vein stenosis shows residual steno-sis in the cephalic vein (black arrowhead) and graft-to-vein fistula (black arrow) with some residual collateral veins (empty arrows). Basilic vein (curved arrow) is visualized by communication with the antecubital vein draining into the cephalic vein. D. Fistulography after balloon dilatation of cephalic vein revealed the disappearance of the stenosis in the cephalic vein (black arrowheads) and markedly decreased collateral vessels. Basilic vein (empty arrow) is visualized by communication with the antecubital vein draining into the ce-phalic vein. E. Doppler study of the arteriovenous hemodialysis graft after the procedure shows a graft-to-vein fistula between arterial limb of the graft and native cephalic vein (arrow). G = arterial limb of the graft, V = cephalic vein
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Table 1.
Demographics and Characteristics of Patients with Graft-to-Vein Fistula in AVF and AVG (n = 34)
Sex, n (%)
Male 14 (41.2)
Female 18 (52.9)
N/A 2 (5.9)
Age (year), mean ± SD (no. of patients) 58.6 ± 13.1 (27)
Type of hemodialysis access, n (%)
AVF 2 (5.9)
AVG 32 (94.1)
Location of hemodialysis access, n (%)
Forearm 19 (55.9)
Upper arm 13 (38.2)
N/A 2 (5.9)
Initially detected symptom/signs associated with fistula, n
Asymptomatic 3
Abnormal finding in surveillance 3
Infection of soft tissue 1
Swelling of extremity 3
Difficulty in accessing venous limb 1
Decreased access flow 9
Increased venous pressure 4
Inadequate hemodialysis 2
Thrombosed graft 9
Prolonged bleeding after hemodialysis 3
N/A 2
Additional findings detected by evaluation of fistula, n
None 6
Arterial anastomosis stenosis 2
Central vein stenosis 2
Ingraft stenosis 3
Pseudoaneurysm 6
Juxta-anastomotic stenosis 1
Thrombosis of graft 4
Venous outflow stenosis 16
Outflow vein occlusion 3
Treatment of fistula, n (%)
No treatment 17 (50.0)
Embolization 5 (14.7)
Surgical treatment 8 (23.5)
N/A 4 (11.8)
Immediate outcome of hemodialysis access after procedure, n (%)
Abandon of access 3 (8.8)
Restored thrill 9 (26.5)
Successful hemodialysis 18 (52.9)
N/A 4 (11.8)

AVF = arteriovenous hemodialysis fistula, AVG = arteriovenous graft, N/A = non-available, SD = standard deviation

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