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Updated: Jan 8, 2026

A Murine Model of Hemodialysis Access-Related Hand Dysfunction
Published on: May 31, 2022
Venous ulceration of the hand secondary to a cimino fistula
1Section of Vascular Surgery, Guthrie Medical Center/Guthrie Clinic, Sayre, PA 18840.
Insights
Cimino fistulas for hemodialysis can rarely cause venous hypertension, leading to finger swelling and ulcers. Surgical treatment involved selective ligation of affected finger tributaries without closing the fistula.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Nephrology
- Dialysis Access
Background:
- Cimino fistula is a common arteriovenous anastomosis for chronic hemodialysis.
- Potential complications include thrombosis, infection, and vascular issues.
- Venous hypertension is a rare but serious complication.
Observation:
- A case of Cimino fistula complicated by venous hypertension is presented.
- The patient exhibited pigmentation, swelling, and ulceration of the middle finger.
- These symptoms were attributed to elevated venous pressure.
Findings:
- Surgical intervention was performed to address the venous hypertension.
- The treatment involved selective ligation of venous tributaries supplying the affected finger.
- The arteriovenous fistula itself was preserved.
Implications:
- This case highlights a rare complication of Cimino fistulas.
- Selective ligation offers a potential treatment option for localized venous hypertension.
- Preserving the fistula is crucial for continued hemodialysis access.
Abstract:
Cimino fistula is an anastomosis created for chronic hemodialysis, between the radial artery and cephalic vein near the wrist. Its complications include thrombosis (most frequent), infection, congestive heart failure, arterial insufficiency, venous hypertension, vascular access neuropathy, and aneurysms. Of these, venous hypertension appears to occur rarely. We report here a case where it resulted in pigmentation, swelling, and ulceration of the middle finger. It was surgically treated, without ligating the arteriovenous fistula, by selective ligation of tributaries from the affected fingers.
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