Arteriovenous fistulas as an adjunct to venous surgery

The objectives of the temporary arteriovenous fistula (AVF) are to increase blood flow in the thrombectomized segment to prevent immediate thrombosis and to allow time for healing of the endothelium. After complete thrombectomy of the iliac vein, confirmed by intraoperative venogram, the AVF is constructed using the divided long saphenous vein end-to-side to the superficial femoral artery. After 6 to 8 weeks, the patency of the AVF and the deep venous system is assessed by duplex scan, followed by an arteriovenogram from the opposite femoral artery, evaluating the anatomy of the AVF, common femoral vein, iliac vein, and the inferior vena cava (IVC). The AVF is closed using coils.