Rotational thrombectomy versus balloon maceration in dialysis access salvage

Although end stage renal disease patients who undergo hemodialysis frequently experience dialysis-associated thrombotic complications, there remains a paucity of literature comparing the efficacy of different endovascular salvage techniques for grafts and fistulas. This study aims to compare primary patency in dialysis access following salvage mechanical thrombolysis/thrombectomy with a rotational thrombolysis device versus balloon maceration.

Using a database of patient records at a tertiary medical center, all patients who underwent rotational thrombectomy with the Cleaner XT™ Rotational Thrombectomy System for endovascular salvage of arteriovenous fistula or arteriovenous graft from August 2016 to July 2022 were included in the population. Fourteen patients who underwent balloon maceration for endovascular salvage were matched to the patients in the rotational thrombectomy group based on date of procedure. The primary patency of the fistula or graft for the two groups was measured.

A total of 13 patients who underwent dialysis access salvage with rotational thrombectomy (10 grafts, 3 fistulas) were matched with 14 patients who underwent balloon maceration for dialysis access salvage (10 grafts, 4 fistulas). Six patients in both groups required additional graft access salvage (46% rotational thrombectomy; 43% balloon maceration). The median time to next dialysis salvage was 51 days for rotational thrombectomy and 43.5 days for balloon maceration (W + 9, critical value 1; compatible with statistically significant difference).

Endovascular access salvage by rotational thrombectomy may provide longer primary patency compared to salvage by balloon maceration. However, a longer follow-up prospective study of a larger study population is necessary to clarify the safety and efficacy of rotational thrombectomy using the Cleaner XT™ device.