Background:

In the salvage of dysfunctional internal arteriovenous fistulas (AVF), complete or sufficient blood flow restoration is the main goal.

Objective:

To present results of the use of angioplasty with simple or medicated balloons without stent in the salvage of dysfunctional AVF.

Methodology:

Observational, retrospective study in patients with AVF dysfunction who underwent simple and medicated balloon angioplasty without a stent. Demographic data, comorbidities, changes in vein diameter before and after angioplasty, blood flow before and after angioplasty, residual stenosis, secondary patency time, and dysfunction rate were recorded.

Results:

Of 25 patients undergoing angioplasty, the mean age 63 ± 10 years (52% male), 24% had thrombosis, 76% stenosis. Mean residual stenosis was 12% at 6 months, 15 fistulas remained functional (60%) and 10 fistulas dysfunctioned (40%) (p = 0.030). Immediate postoperative complications were bleeding (8%) or surgical site infection (4%).

Conclusions:

Simple or medicated balloon angioplasty results in a significant restoration of blood flow volume, facilitating the functionality of the AVF and is associated with a low frequency of complications.

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