• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.24 no.12
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• pp.1167-1172
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• 1991

Since March 1988 we have performed 133 arteriovenous fistulae for hemodialysis in 121 patients with chronic renal failure. Of the 133 cases of arteriovenous fistulae, follow-up evaluation was possible for 80 cases which performed in 69 patients. The relation between blood flow and patency rate and duration of arteriovenous fistula was examined. The overall 6 - 12 - 18 -, and 24 - month patency rates of arteriovenous fistulae were 82%, 64%a, 62%, and 57%, respectively. The maximum blood flow was 150 ~ 350ml /min[mean 217.1$\pm$44.27]. The patency duration was evaluated in patients divided into three groups owing to maximum blood flow through the fistulae. The range of maximum blood flow was 150 ~ 200ml /min for group A, 200 ~ 250ml /min for group B, and above 250ml /min for group C. The mean duration of the patency was 10.7$\pm$7.60 months in group A, 14.9$\pm$9.82 months in group B, and 21.6$\pm$11.16 months in group C[p<0 05]. With increased maximum blood flow, the duration of the patency was longer in group A than group B and C [r=0.39, p<0. 05]. The maintenance blood flow was 100 ~ 250ml /min[mean 179.2$\pm$37.26 ml/min]. When the maintenance blood flow was above 200ml /min, long-term patency rate was higher than the group below 200ml /min[r=0.48, p<0.01]. In the same range of blood flow, patency duration of the patients with using their own blood vessels were longer than the patients with using vascular graft for A-V fistula. We concluded that the patency of the arteriovenous fistulae was closely correlated with the blood flow through the fistulae.

• Vascular Specialist International
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.88-93
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to compare surgical revisions and balloon angioplasty after surgical thrombectomy on thrombosed dialysis access as a first event. Materials and Methods: Records of patients undergoing creation of arteriovenous grafts (AVGs) at the Gachon University Gil Medical Center between March 2008 and February 2016 were reviewed. Among them, patients who underwent treatment on first-time thrombotic occlusion after AVG creation were identified. Outcomes were primary, primary-assisted, and secondary patency. The patency was generated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and patency rates were compared by log-rank test. Results: A total of 59 de novo interventions (n=26, hybrid interventions; n=33, surgical revisions) for occlusive AVGs were identified. The estimated 1-year primary patency rates were 47% and 30% in the surgery and hybrid groups, respectively. The estimated primary patency rates were not different between the two groups (log-rank test, P=0.73). The Kaplan-Meier estimates of 6 and 12 months for primary-assisted patency rates were 68% and 57% in the surgery group and 56% and 56% in the hybrid group. The Kaplan-Meier estimates of 12 and 24 months secondary patency rates were 90% and 71% in the surgery group and 79% and 62% in the hybrid group. There were no differences in the estimated primary-assisted and secondary patency rates between the two groups. Conclusion: Our results showed no significant difference between the two groups in terms of primary patency (P=0.73), primary-assisted patency (P=0.85), and secondary patency (P=0.78). However, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty can give more therapeutic options for both surgeons and patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.178-183
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• 2024

Background: The superficial veins are commonly used in conventional autogenous arteriovenous fistulas and the placement of prosthetic grafts. When they are unsuitable, however, the use of the deep veins (venae comitantes) is generally considered to be a reasonable alternative. This study conducted a comparative analysis of clinical outcomes for arteriovenous grafts between 2 groups based on the type of venous outflow: superficial veins or venae comitantes. Methods: In total, 151 patients who underwent arteriovenous grafts from November 2005 to March 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into 2 groups: group A (superficial veins, n=89) and group B (venae comitantes, n=62). The primary, secondary patency, and complication rates were analyzed in each group. A propensity score-matched analysis was performed. Results: In total, 55 well-balanced pairs were matched. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed no significant differences in the primary patency rate between the 2 groups at 1-year, 3-year and 5-year intervals (group A, 54.7%, 35.9%, 25.4% vs. group B, 47.9%, 16.8%, 12.6%; p=0.14), but there was a difference in the secondary patency rate (group A, 98.2%, 95.3%, 86.5% vs. group B, 87.3%, 76.8%, 67.6%; p=0.0095). The rates of complications, simple percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, and stent insertion were comparable between the groups. Conclusion: Although this study demonstrated not particularly favorable secondary patency rates in the venae comitantes group, the venae comitantes may still be a viable option for patients with unsuitable superficial veins because there were no significant differences in the primary patency and complication rates between the 2 groups.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.568-572
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• 2023

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) overlying an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is rare and presents unique challenges. This case report describes a method of fistula preservation after CSCC excision using a flow-through venous free flap. The saphenous vein of the venous flap was used as flow-through segment for AVF preservation. The flap was inserted along the dorsal aspect of the forearm wound and microvascular anastomosis of the arterial inflow was completed using a vein just proximal to the radiocephalic fistula anastomosis. Venous outflow was established by creating an end-to-end vascular anastomosis between the cephalic vein and the greater saphenous vein. A separate subcutaneous vein was used to provide a low-pressure outflow for the flap to avoid congestion. This case demonstrates an option for AVF preservation that has not been previously described. It also highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach for the safe treatment of CSCCs overlying AVFs.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.883-888
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• 1996

Expanded polytertrafluoroethylene (expanded PTFE) graft fistulas are widely used as secondary vascu- lar access for patients receiving long-term hemodialysis treatment. We implanted 48 grafts in )5 patients during the period from August 1990 to August 1995. Forty-three grafts in 32 patients were followed for 1 to 46 months. We performed forearm straight grafts in 36 grafts and upperarm straight grafts in 7 grafts. We experienced 3 operative failures, 22 early and late complications(15 graft thrombosis). Cumulative patency for all grafts at 12 months was 63%, at 24 months 32%, at 36 months 32% Forearm graft survival at 12 months was 55%, at 24 months 30%, at )6 months 30%. Upperarm graft survival at 12 months was 8)oyo and 24 months 41%. After reviewing our experience, we think that expanded-PTFE grart as secondary vascular access still have many complications and low survival than autogenous a teriovenous fistula. And so utilization of the expanded PTFE fistula requires better techniques, close observation and maintenance to keep it functional.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.487-491
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• 2009

Background: Salvaging prosthetic arteriovenous grafts can be performed using surgical or endovascular techniques. We conducted a retrospective analysis to compare the efficacy of these two methods for restoring dialysis graft function. Material and Method: We studied 41 patients who had received surgical thrombectomy with revision (Group A) or percutaneous thrombectomy with angioplasty (Group B) from January 2006 to December 2007. We compared them according to the patient characteristics and the location of stenotic lesions, and we analyzed the post-intervention primary patency rates. Result: 21 patients underwent surgery and 20 patients underwent percutaneous balloon angioplasty. There were no significant differences of the patients' characteristics between the two groups. Venous anastomotic stenosis was the most common cause of graft thrombosis in both groups. In Group A, 90.5% of the grafts remained functional at 6 months and 38.1% remained functional at 12 months. In Group B, 55.0% of the grafts were functional at 6 months and 20.0% of the grafts were functional at 12 months. The post-intervention primary patency rate was significantly better in Group A (p=0.034). Conclusion: Surgical treatment resulted in significantly longer post-intervention primary patency in this study, and this supports its use as the primary method of management for most patients in whom dialysis graft obstruction develops.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.281-285
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• 2010

Hemodialysis vascular access dysfunction (HVAD) due to the aggressive development of venous neointimal hyperplasia remains a major complication for patients with synthetic arteriovenous grafts. Paclitaxel-coated expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) grafts effectively prevent neointimal hyperplasia and stenosis. However, perigraft inflammation or edema can be another complication of ePTFE grafts, preventing early cannulation. Three different types of ePTFE grafts, including grafts without paclitaxel coating (control group, n = 12), grafts with paclitaxel coating at a dose density of $0.61ug/mm^2$ (low concentration group, n = 12), and grafts with paclitaxel coating at a dose density of $1.15ug/mm^2$ (high concentration group, n = 12) were placed in the backs of 12 rabbits, simultaneously. Six rabbits were euthanized after one week and the remaining six were euthanized two weeks after implantation. Perigraft inflammation, graft wall inflammation, stromal cell proliferation, blood vessel formation, tissue necrosis and edema were analyzed for the grafts in each animal. Inflammation surrounding the paclitaxel-coated grafts was significantly reduced compared to the control group. Stromal cell layers were detected at the interface between the graft and the surrounding tissue in the control group, infiltrated into the graft interstices, and differentiated into myofibroblasts for graft healing. Paclitaxel-coated grafts inhibited stromal cell proliferation and infiltration into the graft wall. Tissue necrosis and edema were not detected in either of the paclitaxel-coated graft groups.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.75-80
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• 1968

This is a case report of traumatic arterial injuries with false aneurysm & arterio-venous fistula treated surgically at National Medical Center. 3 cases were A-V fistula and 2 cases only false aneurysm. Physiological disturbance were produced by only arteriovenous fistula; In one case ulceration of mid. 1/3 tibia due to diminished arterial flow and in 2 cases left ventricular hypertrophy, in which cases Bramhan`s sign were positive. Removing out the fistulous lesions and aneurysm, all of the arterial continuities has been reconstructed by means of end to end anastomosis, Dacron graft and vein graft, veins were managed by ligations of both ends in two cases and end to end anostomosis in one case. Immediate post operative results were good, and two cases were followed for 10 months.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.422-426
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• 2008

Hemodialysis graft coated with paclitaxel prevents stenosis; however, large initial burst release of paclitaxel causes many negative effects such as drug toxicity and inefficient drug loss. Therefore we developed and tested a novel coating method, double dipping, to provide controlled and sustained release of paclitaxel locally. Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) grafts were dipped twice into a solution of several different paclitaxel concentrations. In vitro release tests of the double dipping method showed that early burst release could be somewhat retarded and followed by sustained release for a long time. We observed the effect of paclitaxel coating by double dipping in porcine model of arterio-venous (AV) grafts between the common carotid artery and the external jugular vein. 12 weeks after constructing AV grafts, cross sections of the graft venous anastomosis were obtained and analyzed. Paclitaxel coated ePTFE grafts by double dipping were observed to prevent neointimal hyperplasia and therefore reduced stenosis of the arteriovenous hemodialysis grafts, especially at the graft venous anastomosis sites. Our results demonstrate that second dipping of ePTFE graft, which was already coated once with paclitaxel, washes off the drug on a surface of the graft and affects the ratio of paclitaxel on the surface to that of the inner space, possibly by diffusion: thus the early burst of drug can be somewhat reduced.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.287-292
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• 2021

Background We report the efficacy of a dual-plane approach using a Dufourmentel skin flap with a purse-string suture of the de-epithelized dermis to manage pseudoaneurysm at the vascular access site for hemodialysis. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted of 61 patients from 2013 to 2018 with pseudoaneurysms at the arteriovenous fistula or graft who were treated with rhomboid excision, vessel repair with a purse-string suture, and a full-thickness Dufourmentel skin flap. The success rate was defined as the probability of complete wound closure and intact vascular access patency without infection or other complications. Results The success rate was 93.4% at 6 months postoperatively. Complications included newly occurring pseudoaneurysms (n=2), wound dehiscence (n=1) and bleeding (n=1). There were no complications such as stenosis or thrombosis from the procedure. Conclusions A dual-plane approach using a Dufourmentel skin flap with a purse-string suture for vessel repair was shown to be a favorable option for managing stable, small (diameter <2 cm) pseudoaneurysms without infection, rapid expansion, or patency issues of the vascular access.