Percutaneous intervention for symptomatic central vein stenosis in patients with upper limb arteriovenous dialysis access

Central venous stenosis is an important hindrance to long-term maintenance of arteriovenous access in the upper extremities in dialysis patients. AIM: The present study was done to determine feasibility and clinical success of endovascular approach for the treatment of symptomatic central venous stenosis associated with significant ipsilateral limb edema in dialysis patients with vascular access in the upper limb. METHODS: A database of hemodialysis patients who underwent endovascular treatment for central venous stenosis from January 2014 to January 2017 at our institute was retrospectively reviewed. Follow-up was variable. RESULTS: The study included ten patients (6 men and 4 women) with a mean age of 45.2 years, who underwent thirteen interventions during a period of 3 years. The technical success rate for endovascular treatment was 100%. One patient underwent primary PTA (percutaneous transluminal angioplasty). Seven patients underwent primary PTA and stenting. Three patients underwent secondary PTA. One among these patients underwent secondary PTA twice along with fistuloplasty. One patient underwent secondary PTA with stenting. No immediate complications were encountered during the procedure. Our study shows a primary patency rate of 67% and 33% at 6 months and 12 months for PTA with stenting. Our study also shows secondary or assisted primary patency of 75% at 6 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular therapy (PTA) with or without stenting for central venous stenosis is safe, with low rates of technical failure. Multiple additional interventions are the rule and long-term patency rate is not very good.