Effect of cilostazol on arteriovenous fistula in hemodialysis patients

The maturation and patency of permanent vascular access are critical in patients requiring hemodialysis. Although numerus trials have been attempted to achieve permanently patent vascular access, little have been noticeable. Cilostazol, a phosphodiesterase-3 inhibitor, has been shown to be effective in peripheral arterial disease including vascular injury-induced intimal hyperplasia. We therefore aimed to determine the effect of cilostazol on the patency and maturation of permanent vascular access.

This single-center, retrospective study included 194 patients who underwent arteriovenous fistula surgery to compare vascular complications between the cilostazol (n=107) and control (n=87) groups.

The rate of vascular complications was lower in the cilostazol group than in the control group (36.4% vs. 51.7%; p=0.033), including maturation failure (2.8% vs. 11.5%; p=0.016). The rate of reoperation due to vascular injury after hemodialysis initiation following fistula maturation was also significantly lower in the cilostazol group than in the control group (7.5% vs. 28.7%; p<0.001). However, there were no significant differences in the requirement for percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA), rate of PTA, and the interval from arteriovenous fistula surgery to PTA between the cilostazol and control groups.

Cilostazol might be beneficial for the maturation of permanent vascular access in patients requiring hemodialysis.