Perkutana angioplastika u rješavanju stenoza arteriovenskih fistula za hemodijalizu – iskustvo s prvih deset pacijenata

Aim: To present team approach in resolving arteriovenous (AV) fistula malfunction in patients on chronic hemodialysis and our results during the six months follow-up. Patients and methods: Ten patients with AV fistula malfunction were presented to our multidisciplinary team, that includes a nephrologist, radiolgist and urologist. Clinical manifestations were inadequate blood flow rate and / or high venous pressure during dialysis, blood clotting in the extracorporal circuit, longer bleeding after puncture, pain in the arm, arm sweeling or non-maturation of AV fistula. In all patients fistulography was performed with immediate endovascular therapy and dialysis, if applicable. Results: Fistulography showed a variety of pathological findings in arterial and venous segments. In the majority of patients the clinical outcome was successful, allowing a much higher blood flow rate and successful dialytic treatment. Conclusions: Although the patient group was small, we observed significant clinical benefits as a result of close team-work between different specialities.