Arteriovenous Fistula

Using regional anesthesia for patients undergoing arteriovenous fistula creation for dialysis access conferred better patency outcomes at 1 year compared with local anesthesia, according to a recently published study.

Published findings indicated that while patients 77 years or older had lower likelihoods of arteriovenous fistula placement and maturation, those who experienced maturation did not have greater rates of patency loss than younger patients.

A retrospective study conducted in Belgium found neither catheter nor arteriovenous access was associated with survival in patients on hemodialysis.

The FDA has granted breakthrough device designation to Laminate Medical’s tool for the creation of arteriovenous fistulas in patients on hemodialysis, according to a company press release.

A drug-coated balloon was superior to percutaneous transluminal angioplasty at 1 year for primary patency and clinically driven target lesion revascularization in patients with de novo or restenotic arteriovenous fistula lesions, according to new data from the IN.PACT AV Access study.

Racial and sex differences exist for patients on hemodialysis regarding time spent on a central venous catheter and the likelihood of transferring to permanent access, according to study results.

For dialysis access, the likelihood of arteriovenous fistula placement and subsequent maturation varied based on specific surgeon characteristics, according to this study.

Despite being associated with a long-term mortality signal, paclitaxel-coated devices are staying on the market because benefits outweigh risks for some patients, but a risk discussion between doctors and patients is crucial, an FDA official said during the International Symposium on Endovascular Therapy.

Published findings report that, for vascular access in hemodialysis, the creation of an arteriovenous fistula using an endovascular approach — which avoids an open surgical procedure — was associated with patency at 2 years and a high level of patient satisfaction.

Medtronic plc has received approval from the FDA for its IN.PACT AV drug-coated balloon, which was designed to prevent vessel restenosis, thereby enabling arteriovenous access sites to continue functioning properly for patients on hemodialysis. The company's IN.PACT Admiral device already received a CE mark for the treatment of failing AV access in 2016.