Endovascular Treatment of Stent Fracture and Pseudoaneurysm Formation in Arteriovenous Fistula Dialysis Access

Abstract

Arteriovenous fistulae (AVF) and grafts (AVG) for hemodialysis access generally provide good long-term solutions for the patient with end-stage renal disease. However, complications of both AVGs and AVFs are common and require a multimodality approach to maintain their patency and continued use. Commonly encountered problems include stenosis, thrombosis, aneurysm or pseudoaneurysm formation, rupture, and infection. Each needs to be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Outflow stenosis, often occurring within the cephalic arch in patients with a brachiocephalic fistula, may occur alone or be discovered in conjunction with other access problems. Pseudoaneurysm of the venous end generally arises from traumatic weakening of the vessel wall, often from repetitive venipuncture. More rare is the fracture of a previously placed stent. We present a case of stent fracture complicated by pseudoaneurysm formation with concomitant stenosis of the cephalic arch treated successfully with single-procedure placement of endovascular stent grafts.