Assessment of the Effectiveness of Percutaneous Transluminal Balloon Angioplasty for Failing or Nonmaturing Arteriovenous Fistulae for Hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: Autologous arteriovenous (A-V) fistulae are the recommended arteriovenous access for long-term dialysis in chronic renal failure patients. However, the rate of nonmaturity and failure is still significant. The present study aimed at salvaging fistulas using percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty (PTA).

METHODS: Thirty-two patients with nonmaturing or failing fistulas were included, to which they were subjected to PTA with preintervention and postintervention fistulograms to assess the success rate in restoring the fistulae's patency and function.

RESULTS: Salvage rate was 26 of 32 fistulas (81.3%) in which the fistulas regain their usability for hemodialysis at least for 3 months of follow-up, 4 cases (12.5%) persist nonmature and 2 cases (6.3%) were not used for stenosis.

CONCLUSIONS: PTA is a safe and effective method for treating nonmature and failing native A-V fistulas.