Gülhane Askeri Tıp Akademisi Kalp Damar Cerrahisi AD. Etlik, Ankara

Background: Our aim is to investigate the the results of early thrombectomy, performed in the first 24-48 hours, by Fogarty embolectomy catheter for thrombosed arteriovenous fistulas in chronic hemodialysis patients. Materials and Methods: Thrombectomy has been performed to 22 patients with brachial arteriovenous fistulas and 20 patients with distal radial arteriovenous fistulas (totally 42 patients) in the first 24-48 hours after the loss of thrill and murmur over the fistula. The procedure was performed once in 28 patients, and twice in the remaining 14 patients. But 9 of the latter 14 patients developed rethrombosis in fistula despite second embolectomy. A new arteriovenous fistula was created with another operation for them. Results: Average follow-up time was 10.5±3.2 months. No major complications like arterial embolism, graft or vessel trauma requiring surgery was encountered in the group. Technical success of the procedure was found to be 78.5 %. The patency rate of revised fistulas at 3 and 12 months were 61.9 % and 57.1% respectively. Conclusions: Early thrombectomy with Fogarty embolectomy catheter for thrombosed arteriovenous fistulas in the first 24-48 hours is a simple, effective and safe method of surgical treatment.