Midterm outcomes of brachial arterio-arterial prosthetic loop as permanent hemodialysis access

The objective of this study was to report the midterm outcomes of the brachial arterio-arterial prosthetic loop (AAPL) as an alternative permanent vascular access in strictly selected patients with end-stage renal disease.

This single-center prospective observational study was conducted between January 2014 and June 2017 and included 89 brachial AAPL procedures. Primary, assisted primary, and secondary patency rates were calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis.

Exhausted peripheral veins were the most common indication for brachial AAPL. Patients were followed up for a mean period of 28.7 ± 4.9 months. Nineteen grafts developed thrombosis, 13 grafts developed pseudoaneurysms, 9 grafts developed hematoma, and 6 grafts were abandoned because of infection. The primary, assisted primary, and secondary patency rates were 62% ± 5.2%, 71.2% ± 4.9%, and 89.6% ± 3.3% at 24 months, respectively.

Brachial AAPL can offer a simple, safe, and efficient alternative as a permanent hemodialysis access in a selected subset of end-stage renal disease patients, with acceptable durability and rate of complications. Because of its unique specifications, cooperation between vascular surgeons and dialysis staff is mandatory.