IN.PACT AV Access Trial: Economic Evaluation of Drug-Coated Balloon Treatment for Dysfunctional Arteriovenous Fistulae Based on 12-Month Clinical Outcomes.

Purpose: To study, from a U.S. payer's perspective, the economic consequences of drug-coated balloon (DCB) versus standard percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) use for the treatment of stenotic lesions in dysfunctional hemodialysis arteriovenous fistulae.

Efficacy and safety associated with the use of the Surfacer Inside-Out Access Catheter System: Results from a prospective, multicenter Food and Drug Administration-approved Investigational Device Exemption study.

Purpose: Thoracic central venous obstruction is commonly associated with the use of central venous catheters. The Study was an Food and Drug Administration-approved US Investigational Device Exemption study designed to evaluate the performance and safety of the Surfacer System when used to facilitate central venous access in patients with thoracic central venous obstruction.

Methods: Thirty patients were enrolled in this prospective, multicenter, single-arm study between December 2017 and May 2019.

Medicare Costs Associated With Arteriovenous Fistulas Among US Hemodialysis Patients.

Background: An arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the recommended vascular access for hemodialysis (HD). Previous studies have not examined the resources and costs associated with creating and maintaining AVFs.

Study Design: Retrospective observational study.

Prospective, Randomized, Concurrently-Controlled Study of a Stent Graft versus Balloon Angioplasty for Treatment of Arteriovenous Access Graft Stenosis: 2-Year Results of the RENOVA Study.

Purpose: To present final, 2-year data from randomized comparison of an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene stent graft (SG) and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for treatment of arteriovenous graft (AVG) anastomotic stenoses.

Materials And Methods: A 28-site, prospective, controlled US study enrolled 270 patients with malfunctioning AVG anastomotic stenoses of ≥ 50%; 138 patients underwent SG placement, and 132 underwent PTA alone. Follow-up imaging and intervention were event-driven.

Access survival amongst hemodialysis patients referred for preventive angiography and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty.

Background And Objectives: Referring hemodialysis patients for elective access angiography and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is commonly done to prevent access failure, yet the effectiveness of this procedure remains unclear. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASURES: An observational matched cohort analysis among 40,132 Medicare beneficiaries receiving hemodialysis with a fistula or graft was performed. Cox regression was used to determine whether access intervention was associated with improved 1-year access survival.

A comparison of transposed brachiobasilic fistulae with nontransposed fistulae and grafts in the Fistula First era.

This retrospective study compares outcomes of transposed brachiobasilic fistulae (avf), nontransposed avf, and grafts (avg). There were 161 (21%) transposed avf, 321 (42%) nontransposed avf, and 285 (37%) avg placed and followed over a 3-year period. Of the nontransposed avf, 203 (63%) were forearm radiocephalic avf and 118 (37%) were upper arm brachiocephalic avf.

Does catheter insertion by nephrologists improve peritoneal dialysis utilization? A multicenter analysis.

In contrast to hemodialysis (HD), peritoneal dialysis (PD) remains an underutilized form of renal replacement therapy in the United States. Although a variety of factors have been deemed responsible, timely insertion of a PD catheter may also be a contributory factor. We conducted a multicenter analysis to examine whether the establishment of a program for PD catheter insertion by nephrologists has a positive impact on the growth in the number of patients using PD.

Use of mechanical thrombectomy for declotting hemodialysis grafts.

Preservation of hemodialysis graft function is a high priority. Graft thrombosis is a common problem that can be treated percutaneously using a variety of methods, including pharmacological thrombolysis, balloon thrombectomy, and mechanical thrombectomy. These treatments provide similar clinical efficacy and primary patency rates, but differ in their risk for potential complications such as bleeding and pulmonary microembolization.