Brachial neuropathy after brachial artery-antecubital vein shunts for chronic hemodialysis.

Peripheral mononeuropathies may complicate distal arteriovenous fistulas for chronic renal dialysis. We observed three diabetic patients who developed pain, paresthesias, and weakness in the distribution of the median, ulnar, and radial nerves shortly after construction of proximal brachial artery-antecubital vein fistulas. EMG confirmed multiple distal nerve injuries. All three patients improved after shunt banding or ligation. Twenty additional patients with proximal shunts were examined for risk factors for brachial neuropathy. Although all patients had severe atherosclerosis and many had polyneuropathy, we identified no predictive risk factors other than diabetes.