From ZeRO to HeRO: Saving lives one HeRO at a time.

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Vascular Surgery

Background:

• Central venous stenosis poses a significant challenge for long-term hemodialysis access.
• Patients with end-stage renal failure often exhaust conventional dialysis access options.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of the Haemodialysis Reliable Outflow (HeRO) graft in a patient with complex central venous stenosis.
• To highlight the HeRO graft as a potential long-term solution for challenging dialysis access cases.

Main Methods:

• A 55-year-old patient with a 15-year history of hemodialysis and severe central venous stenosis was treated with a HeRO graft.
• The HeRO graft, a fully subcutaneous system, bypasses the stenosed central veins.
• An immediate needling graft (Acuseal) was combined with the HeRO graft for prompt post-operative dialysis.

Main Results:

• The HeRO graft provided successful and problem-free dialysis access.
• The patient experienced significant improvement in quality of life, returning to work.
• The graft remained patent and functional at two months post-implantation.

Conclusions:

• The HeRO graft is a promising option for patients with central venous stenosis and limited dialysis access alternatives.
• This fully subcutaneous system offers a potentially long-term solution for safe and effective hemodialysis.
• Successful implementation can restore patient function and improve quality of life.