The Clinical Efficacy of Balloon-Assisted Maturation of Autogenous Arteriovenous Fistulae.

Background: Delayed maturation of arteriovenous fistulae (AVF) among patients who require hemodialysis (HD) can lead to catheter sepsis with its resultant morbidity and mortality. Some have proposed that sequential balloon-assisted maturation (BAM) may accelerate the maturation times of these accesses. On the other hand, serial balloon angioplasty of normal vein may result in stenosis and delay maturation.

To BAM or not to BAM?: A closer look at balloon-assisted maturation.

Background: Balloon assisted maturation (BAM) is a recent, innovative, yet controversial method for developing autogenous arterio-venous fistulae (AVF), with little supportive data. Few retrospective studies have addressed the efficacy of BAM and cofactors affecting successful maturation. We conducted a retrospective analysis of our vascular access database to compare possible factors associated with a successful BAM, as determined by increase in volume flow of the fistulae.

Clinical experience with office-based duplex-guided balloon-assisted maturation of arteriovenous fistulas for hemodialysis.

Background: To examine the effect of office-based duplex-guided balloon-assisted maturation (DG-BAM) on arteriovenous fistula (AVF), we retrospectively analyzed our experience.

Methods: Over the past 10 months, we performed 185 DG-BAMs (range, 1-8 procedures; mean, 3.7) in 45 patients (29 male, 16 female; mean age, 68.