Dialysis access fistulas: treatment of stenoses by transluminal angioplasty.

Fifty-six balloon dilatations in 51 patients with upper-extremity dialysis access fistulas were performed over a 4-year period. Forty-four venous anastomotic lesions in patients with either internal or graft fistulas were dilated. Three arterial anastomotic lesions and nine distant venous stenoses were treated. Thirty-nine of 56 (70%) dilatations were initially successful. Of the initial successes, 28/35 (80%) were patent at 3 months, 19/27 (70%) at 6 months, 12/22 (55%) at 1 year, 7/14 (50%) at 2 years, and 3/9 (33%) at 3 years. Three complications (5%) were encountered. These included two graft thromboses and one pseudoaneurysm at the dilatation site. The procedure may be performed on an outpatient basis.