Prevalence and functional profile of unsuspected radial artery stenosis in native radiocephalic fistula dysfunction. Diagnosis by vascular access flow monitoring using Delta-H method

The aim of this study was to know the prevalence and functional profile of RA stenosis in RCF dysfunction detected as a result of our surveillance programme. We prospectively monitored QA of 116 VA (arteriovenous fistula 81% or graft 19%; mean VA duration 28.2 +/- 52.9 months) during hemodiaysis (HD) in 102 ESRD (mean age 63.0 +/- 13.0 yr; sex M: 56.9%, F: 43.1%; mean time on HD 31.4 +/- 44.0 months; 15.5% diabetes) patients (pts) over 4 yr period. QA was measured at least every 4 months by the Delta-H method using the Crit-Line III monitor (overall mean QA 1,193.4 +/- 490.3 ml/min) Forty-three VA (43/116, 37%) met criteria of positive evaluation (absolute QA < 700 ml/min: 48.8%; NQA > 20% from baseline: 51.2%) and were referred for angiography. Most VA explored by angiography showed stenosis > or = 50% (36/40, 90%) that were mainly located in RCF (25/36, 69.4%: RA 11/25, arterialized vein AV 14/25). Eleven cases of RA stenosis (prevalence: 11/36, 30.5%; mean degree: 83.5 +/- 15.8%) were found in 11 RCF (mean VA duration 48.9 +/- 76.7 months) of 11 pts (mean age 67.5 +/- 11.5 yr; mean time on HD 54.0 +/- 75.8 months; 18.2% diabetes). Cause of positive evaluation: absolute QA < 700 ml/min 81.8%; NQA > 20% from baseline 18.2%. Mean QA of RCF just before angiography: 532.9 +/- 99.8 ml/min (range, 418-699 ml/min). Stenosis type: Type I (multiple stenoses) 9.1%, type II (isolated stenosis but critical > 90-95%) 36.4% and type III (isolated stenosis 50-90% with normal haemodynamic status of RCF) 54.5%. Followup: stenosis not reparable 36.4% (4/11), elective intervention by surgery 36.4% (4/11), lost of follow-up before intervention 27.3% (2/11 died, 1/11 transplantation). Mean QA of RCF tended to increase from 547.0 +/- 100.6 ml/min just before surgery to 872.3 +/- 526.5 ml/min just after surgery (n = 4, mean DQA = 325.2 +/- 431.3 ml/min (p = 0.068). Comparative study with 14 AV stenosis (mean degree 76.4 +/- 7.4%) in 11 RCF (mean VA duration 16.4 +/- 22.8 months) of 11 pts (mean age 64.3 +/- 10.5 yr; mean time on HD 17.0 +/- 18.9 months; 50% diabetes): higher prevalence of intervention (85.8%) compared to RA stenosis (p =0.011); without differences in degree of stenosis (p = 0.12) and QA before angiography (p = 0.78) or surgery (p = 1.00); mean QA increased significantly after surgery (n = 6 AV, 549.8 +/- 86.4 vs 1,033.0 +/- 216.6 ml/min) (p = 0.028). 1) One third of cases of VA dysfunction were related to feeding artery stenosis. 2) No differences in functiona