Vascular access interventional therapy of early arteriovenous fistula occlusion leading to long-term patency: A case report

Abstract

Arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are frequently used for hemodialysis access, but approximately 15%–20% of AVFs fail to mature within 3 months of their creation. Vascular access interventional therapy (VAIVT) is typically performed for treating an immature AVF. However, it should be performed 4–6 weeks or later after AVF creation. Here, we present a case in which VAIVT effectively addressed AVF occlusion that occurred only 9 days after its creation. The patient was an 82-year-old woman with chronic kidney disease who underwent surgery to create a left radiocephalic AVF for hemodialysis. Nine days postoperatively, disappearance of the AVF sound prompted an angiography, revealing thrombosis near the AVF anastomosis. VAIVT successfully restored blood flow, resulting in AVF maturation, and with no thrombosis or flow dysfunction at 21 months after VAIVT. To the best of our knowledge, this case presents the earliest successful intervention for an occluded AVF.