Radial Artery Harvest: A Potential Cause of Arteriovenous Access‐Associated Hand Ischemia

Hand ischemia has multiple causes. In this article, we report an additional factor that can induce hand ischemia in hemodialysis patients. A 64‐year‐old white man with coronary artery disease underwent a coronary artery bypass graft procedure using the left radial artery as the bypass graft. Several months later, a left extremity Gracz fistula was created for arteriovenous access. Ever since dialysis was performed via the fistula the patient has experienced a cold hand and pain during dialysis that was somewhat relieved by wearing a woolen glove while on dialysis. Absence of the radial artery in the context of an ipsilateral arteriovenous access was highlighted as a possible etiology. A complete arteriography to determine the presence of stenoses, distal arteriopathy, and true steal was recommended, but the patient refused to undergo any investigation or procedure and instead decided to continue wearing the glove during the treatment. A plan for close follow‐up and possible interventions in the event of worsening pain/ulceration was agreed upon. Radial artery harvest can result in hand ischemia if an ipsilateral arteriovenous access is created. We suggest that the contralateral extremity should be considered if an arteriovenous access is required to minimize this risk of this phenomenon

Renal Artery Stenosis: To Intervene, or Not to Intervene, “That is the Question”

Renal artery stenosis (RAS) due to atherosclerosis continues to be a major cause of secondary hypertension. It can also lead to renal dysfunction due to ischemic nephropathy. While major clinical trials have emphasized that medical management should be preferred over angioplasty and stenting for the treatment of renal artery stenosis, clinical scenarios continue to raise doubts about the optimal management strategy. Herein, we present two cases that were admitted with hypertensive emergency and renal function deterioration. Medical therapy failed to control the blood pressure and in one patient, renal failure progressed to a point where renal replacement therapy was required. Both patients underwent angioplasty (for >90% stenosis) and stent insertion with successful resolution of stenosis by interventional radiology. Postoperatively, blood pressure gradually decreased with improvement in serum creatinine. Dialysis therapy was discontinued. At 4‐ and 8‐month follow‐up, both patients continue to do well with blood pressure readings in the 132–145/70–90 mmHg range. This article highlights the importance of percutaneous interventions in the management of atherosclerotic RAS and calls for heightened awareness and careful identification of candidates who would benefit from angioplasty and stent insertion

Subcutaneous Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator for Dialysis Patients: A Strategy to Reduce Central Vein Stenoses and Infections

Central venous stenosis is a common complication of the transvenous leads associated with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). Although epicardial leads have been reported to bypass this complication, their placement is much more invasive than the subcutaneous ICDs (SICDs) and requires the services of a cardiothoracic surgeon. Recent data have demonstrated successful defibrillation using an SICD. In this report, we present 4 long-term hemodialysis patients treated successfully with an SICD. 3 patients received the device for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death (cardiomyopathy with low ejection fraction). The patient in the fourth case had a prolonged QT interval and received the device for secondary prevention. 3 patients had an arteriovenous fistula, whereas 1 patient was dialyzing with a tunneled dialysis catheter. Insertion of an SICD is a minimally invasive procedure. By virtue of leaving the venous system untouched, this approach might offer the advantage of reduced risk of central venous stenosis and infection over an endocardial ICD with transvenous leads. SICD is not experimental; it has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and is currently being used in the United States and Europe

Blood Pressure Recordings During Hemodialysis Access Interventions: Implications for Acute Management

A retrospective study evaluating the pattern of blood pressure and its related complications before, during, and after percutaneous hemodialysis interventions was performed in patients presenting with asymptomatic hypertension. Hemodialysis patients undergoing percutaneous interventions including tunneled hemodialysis catheter insertion, percutaneous balloon angioplasty and thrombectomy procedure, and stage II hypertension (systolic blood pressure ≥160 mmHg) were included in this analysis. Blood pressure medications were not used while midazolam and fentanyl were routinely administered. Patients were followed for up to 4 weeks to monitor any complications. The mean blood pressure before, during, and after the procedures were 185 ± 18/96 ± 14, 172 ± 22/92 ± 15, and 153 ± 25/87 ± 14, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the blood pressure readings before and after the procedure (before = 185 ± 18/96 ± 14, after = 153 ± 25/87 ± 14; p = 0.001). None of the patients had a stroke, myocardial infarction, or acute pulmonary edema before, during, or after the procedure or during the 4‐week follow‐up period. A significant reduction in blood pressure was observed after the procedure without the administration of any antihypertensive medication. These results suggest that the reduction in blood pressure observed after percutaneous dialysis access interventions (particularly in the presence of midazolam and fentanyl) may make it unnecessary to treat asymptomatic hypertension prior to these procedures

Continued Eculizumab Therapy for Persistent Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (atypical HUS) is characterized by endothelial injury and microvascular thrombosis resulting in microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and ischemic injury to organs, especially the kidney. Activation of complements is involved in the pathogenesis of atypical HUS. Eculizumab, a neutralizing monoclonal antibody directed against complement C5, has shown salutary effects in patients with atypical HUS. In this report, we present a 23-year-old man with atypical HUSwho was treated with eculizumab. During the first four weeks of treatment, eculizumab failed to achieve a remission. Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia persisted, while renal function deteriorated necessitating initiation of hemodialysis. Continuation of eculizumab therapy, however, led to marked improvement in hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and renal function. After 10 weeks of eculizumab therapy, hemodialysis was discontinued. At 5-month follow-up, serum creatinine was 1.1 mg/dL with continued eculizumab therapy every other week. In addition, platelet count was normal, while there was no evidence of hemolysis. We conclude that in patients with persistent atypical HUS continued treatment with eculizumab can be helpful in achieving remission