Outcomes after ulnar-basilic arteriovenous fistula formation.

Background: The ulnar-basilic arteriovenous fistula (UBAVF) is rarely used owing to perceived problems with poor patency and prolonged maturation times. We report outcomes after UBAVF formation.

Methods: Patients who had a forearm UBAVF formed between October 1, 2002 and September 31, 2010 were identified from a prospectively maintained database.

Results: Fifty-two UBAVFs were formed in 48 patients. The majority were male (77.1%), with a median (range) age of 69.5 (18-86) years. Primary and secondary patencies at 1, 3, and 5 years were 43%, 13%, 13%, and 54%, 18%, and 13%, respectively. Primary patencies were higher in those with previously functioning radiocephalic arteriovenous fistulas on the same arm (P = 0.03). Thirty-six percent of UBAVFs became functional, with a median (range) time to maturation of 100 (32-471) days. Nine UBAVFs (17.3%) required revision surgery. Complications were rare (7.7%), with only one case of steal syndrome.

Conclusions: Although UBAVF patency and functionality rates are low, we believe that these are acceptable, given the low risk of complications and preservation of precious upper-arm venous capital. Maturation can be prolonged, but when the forearm cephalic vein is unusable, UBAVFs can provide an alternative to upper-arm fistulas, and should be utilized more widely, especially in those with previously functioning ipsilateral radiocephalic arteriovenous fistulas.