Clinical Experience of Proximal Radio-Cephalic Fistula

Cho, Seong; Kim, Sung Rok; Lee, Yu Ji

Abstract

PURPOSE
The first choice of vascular access is a distal radiocephalic fistula (dRCF) at the wrist. In patients with a failed dRCF or with vessels unsuitable for dRCF, the recommendation is to place a brachiocephalic fistula (BC) in the upper arm. Proximal forearm radiocephalic fistulas (pRCF) are created infrequently, but may permit a second forearm fistula before proceeding to the upper arm BC. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the effect of pRCF in hemodialysis patients.
METHODS
We included 80 patients who received arteriovenous fistula operation between December, 2008 and July, 2010. The type of arteriovenous fistula (dRCF, pRCF, BC) was determined according to preoperative vascular mapping using doppler ultrasonography. The fistula operation was performed by one surgeon. We compared the non-maturation rates, primary and secondary patency rates among dRCF, pRCF, and BC.
RESULTS
The numbers of patients that underwent dRCF, pRCF, and BC operation were 27, 27, and 26, respectively. Only 33.8% of patients needed creation of a dRCF potentially. Non-maturation rates were similar among the patients that underwent dRCF, pRCF and BC (11.1%, 7.4%, and 3.8%, respectively, p>0.05). The primary patency rates of dRCF, pRCF, and BC were 81.5%, 92.6%, 80.8%, respectively (p>0.05). The secondary patency rates of dRCF, pRCF, and BC were 92.3%, 96.3%, and 92.3%, respectively (p>0.05).
CONCLUSION
pRCF had non-maturation rate, primary and secondary patency rate, comparable to those of a dRCF and, a BC. pRCF may be an attractive alternative to a BC in patients who do not have vessel suitable for creation of a dRCF.