Background: We evaluated late complications of arteriovenous fistula creation for vascular access in hemodialysis patients and the results of surgical interventions to maintain fistula patency.

Methods: The study included 79 patients (42 males, 37 females; mean age 55±13 years; range 9 to 73 years) who underwent a total of 101 surgical interventions for complications occurring at least one year after creation of an arteriovenous fistula. Fistulae that gave rise to complications were at the wrist (n=32, 31.7%) and in the antecubital region (n=69, 68.3%). All the patients were evaluated by Doppler ultrasonography before surgery. Interventions to restore patency were performed within the first 24 hours of hemodialysis.

Results: Complications requiring revision included thrombosis (n=40, 39.6%), venous aneurysm (n=24, 23.8%), ischemia of the hand (n=16, 15.8%), hematoma (n=2, 2%), edema in the upper extremity (n=7, 6.9%), venous hypertension (n=8, 7.9%), and infection (n=4, 4%). Fistula patency was restored in 52.5% of thrombosed patients, 47% of patients with edema and hypertension, 68.7% of ischemic cases, and in only 12.5% of patients with aneurysms.

Conclusion: Complications associated with arteriovenous fistulae not only increase morbidity and length of hospital stay, but also decrease quality of life and life span. These complications can be reduced by appropriate surgical technique to establish arteriovenous fistula and proper hemodialysis access.

Keywords : Anastomosis, surgical; arteriovenous fistula/complications; arteriovenous shunt, surgical/complications; renal dialysis; vascular patency; vascular surgical procedures.