Hemodialysis related venous stenoses: treatment with self-expanding endovascular prostheses.

Seven patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis presented a total of ten venous stenoses which were treated with self-expanding metallic vascular endoprostheses. Four lesions were central (brachiocephalic and subclavian vein). One acute occlusion could be successfully recanalized by PTA. Restenosis prompted seven secondary interventions. Four patients underwent a kidney transplantation between 5 and 8 months after vascular stenting. Definite occlusion occurred in one patient. According to our experience, stenting of large central veins in hemodialysis patients seems less prone to restenosis due to intimal hyperplasia. Despite a high restenosis rate in the peripheral lesions we believe that stenting is a useful tool in the treatment of hemodialysis-related venous stenosis, permitting a significant prolongation of shunt function.