American journal of kidney diseases : the official journal of the National Kidney Foundation | 2019
An Implanted Blood Vessel Support Device for Arteriovenous Fistulas: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Abstract
RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE\nReducing turbulent blood flow through dialysis arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) and radial stretching of their venous wall may attenuate hyperplasia and stenosis and improve AVF outcomes in hemodialysis patients. The goal of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the VasQ implant, which intervenes on these mechanisms by physically supporting the surgical arteriovenous anastomosis.\n\n\nSTUDY DESIGN\nProspective, randomized, controlled, multicenter study.\n\n\nSETTINGS & PARTICIPANTS\n40 consecutive patients with kidney failure referred for creation of a brachiocephalic fistula in 4 vascular access centers in the United Kingdom and Israel.\n\n\nINTERVENTIONS\nAVF surgical creation with placement of the VasQ implant (treatment) versus AVF placement without the implant (control).\n\n\nOUTCOMES\nSafety assessed as percentage of severe device-related adverse events was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were efficacy assessments including: (1) AVF maturation at 3 months, defined as cephalic vein diameter≥5mm and flow≥500mL/min; (2) functional cumulative patency, defined as successful 2-needle cannulation for two-thirds or more of all dialysis runs for 1 month in study participants receiving dialysis; (3) cephalic vein diameter and blood flow; and (4) primary and cumulative patency at 6 months.\n\n\nRESULTS\nNo severe device-related adverse events were observed. There was no significant difference in maturation at 3 months or primary patency at 6 months between treatment and control (85% vs 80% and 80% vs 66%). Significantly larger vein luminal diameters were observed in the treatment group versus controls at 3 and 6 months (8.27±2.2 vs 6.69±1.8mm [P=0.03] and 9.6±2.5 vs 7.56±2.7mm [P=0.03]). Functional patency at 6 months was significantly greater in the treatment group (100% vs 56% [P\xa0= 0.01]).\n\n\nLIMITATIONS\nSmall sample size, limited power for secondary end points.\n\n\nCONCLUSIONS\nNo safety signals were detected for the VasQ external support of brachiocephalic AVFs. Higher functional patency and vein luminal diameters were achieved with the device at 3 and 6 months. VasQ may safely intervene on mechanisms associated with the disturbed hemodynamic profile in the juxta-anastomotic region.\n\n\nFUNDING\nFunded by Laminate Medical Technologies Ltd.\n\n\nTRIAL REGISTRATION\nRegistered at ClinicalTrials.gov with study number NCT02112669.