Staged brachioradial artery to brachioradial vein arteriovenous fistula creation for hemodialysis access in three patients with a high origin of the radial artery

When patients lack suitable superficial veins in the upper extremity to create an arteriovenous fistula, surgeons are faced with a decision between a synthetic graft or autologous fistula using deep veins, such as a brachial artery to brachial vein arteriovenous fistula. In patients with a high radial artery origin (or brachioradial artery) and inadequate superficial veins, arteriovenous fistula creation will be even more challenging. In the present report, we describe a technique used in three such patients who underwent successful staged brachioradial artery to brachioradial vein arteriovenous fistula creation.