A promising method for the salvage of thrombosed native hemodialysis fistulas: percutaneous ultrasound-guided thrombolytic injection

BACKGROUND/AIM: It was aimed to describe the technical aspects and outcomes of percutaneous ultrasound-guided recanalization of thrombosed hemodialysis fistulas by thrombolytic injection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on patients with thrombosed native hemodialysis fistula who were treated using the percutaneous ultrasound-guided thrombolytic agent injection technique at the interventional radiology department. A total of 17 patients [7 women (41.2%) and 10 men (58.8%)] were included in this study. All of the data, including demographic information and clinical findings, were obtained from the patients’ medical records and follow-up form of the procedure. RESULTS: The mean fistula age was 5.6 years (range: 1–15 years). The mean diameter of the thrombosed segment was 5.53 cm (2–10 cm). Localization of the thrombi was in the aneurysmal segment at the level of needle insertion in 64.7% (n: 11) of patients, while it was on the venous side of the anastomosis in 35.3% (n: 6). The mean dose of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) used in all of the sessions was 8.88 mg (5–17 mg). Overall technical success after all of the administrations was 100% and clinical success was 94.1%. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous ultrasound-guided thrombolytic injection in native hemodialysis fistulas is a rapid, practical, repeatable treatment method that is received on an outpatient basis with low risk of bleeding, and prevents unnecessary endovascular interventions or surgical operations.