Stent graft deployment in haemodialysis fistula: patency rates in partially thrombosed aneurysm and residual thrombi

BACKGROUND: Current evidence is insufficient to determine the contribution of stent grafts as treatment in partially thrombosed aneurysms or residual wall-adherent thrombi in arteriovenous fistulae (AVFs) for haemodialysis. The overall purpose of this study was to analyse patency rates of post-interventional covered stent deployment in those cases. We also assessed if patency rates differed when fistulas were punctured through the stent during dialysis sessions. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study between 2006 and 2014 analysing post-intervention primary patency rates using the Kaplan–Meier log-rank test. Multivariate Cox proportional regression models were performed to determine if cannulation within the stent graft area was a potential risk factor for occlusion, by adjusted hazard ratio (HR). RESULTS: A total of 27 procedures were included in the study. Primary patency rates (%) after stent deployment at 3, 6, 12, 24, 36 and 72 months were, respectively: total 59, 32, 32, 21, 11 and 5; stent puncture 53, 21, 21, 16, 5 and 0; and no stent puncture 80, 80, 80, 40, 40 and 40. Cannulation through the stent graft was not significantly associated with increased risk of obstruction in multivariate analysis (HR = 3.01; P = 0.286). CONCLUSION: Stent graft treatment may be a feasible procedure in partially thrombosed aneurysms and residual thrombi in AVF. Although fistulas punctured through the stent presented lower patency rates, this practice was not associated with a higher risk of obstruction. Giving the impossibility of comparing with similar approaches, further studies are needed to confirm or refute the advantages of this procedure.