Objectives: After forearm and arm cephalic veins are no longer available as options, the choices of arm vascular access between one-staged brachial-basilic vein transposition (BBAVF) and arm straight arteriovenous graft (AS-AVG) for hemodialysis are controversial. This study aims to compare outcomes between groups.
Methods: All one-staged BBAVF and AS-AVG from August 2014 to December 2019 were reviewed. In cases of suitable basilic vein of 3 mm or more present from cubital crease to axilla, one-staged BBAVF was preferred. AS-AVG was performed for patients who need timely functioning access or have no suitable basilic vein.
Results: Twenty-eight one-staged BBAVF and 74 AS-AVG were included. Baseline characteristics were not significantly different, except AS-AVG had less previous ipsilateral access (9% vs 39%; p < .001). Postoperative complications were not different. With six loss follow-ups (3 in BBAVF and 3 in AS-AVG), 24 (96%) and 64 (90%) matured after one-staged BBAVF and AS-AVG, respectively (p = .676). BBAVF took about 30 days (95% CI: 10, 51) longer time to first successful cannulation. Primary patency was significantly better for one-staged BBAVF (hazard ratio (HR) of 3.0 (95%CI: 1.2, 7.7)), whereas secondary patency was not different. The total access failure (i.e. failure to mature combined with any thrombosis or intervention to maintain patency) significantly favored BBAVF (HR 2.7 (95%CI: 1.1, 6.6)).
Conclusions: Provided a suitable arm basilic vein is available, one-staged BBAVF is preferred over AS-AVG when forearm AVF, forearm AVG, and arm cephalic veins are out. However, it requires a longer time to start cannulating than AS-AVG.
Keywords: Hemodialysis; arteriovenous graft; basilic; fistula; transposition; vascular access.