Evaluation of the Radial Artery Deviation And Reimplantation Technique for Primary Hemodialysis Access Creation

In current nephrology and vascular surgery guidelines, end-cephalic to side-radial arteriovenous fistula is the gold standard for primary vascular access creation. However, these wrist AVFs are recognized to have the worst patency of any autogenous vascular accesses. Outcome improvement is therefore urgent in the field of vascular access, which concerns a growing incident population of patients with end-stage renal disease requiring hemodialysis.

Primary AVF failure, including failure to mature, occurs in ~35-40% in just the first year, generally due to juxta-anastomotic stenosis. Many AVF subsequently require additional interventions to mature successfully. The primary patency for these AVFs is poor with 55% at 12 months.

Juxta-anastomotic neointimal hyperplasia typically occurs in the swing segment, e.g. the proximal vein mobilized to form the end-to-side anastomosis. This surgically-mobilized segment coincides both with turbulent flow as well as with devascularization of the vasa vasorum. These processes have been associated with endothelial cell activation and a dysfunctional phenotype. Therefore investigators hypothesized that surgical techniques which minimize venous dissection may improve fistula maturation and access patency.

Accordingly, investigators developed the "Radial Artery Deviation And Reimplantation (RADAR) technique." Instead of using a traditional end-vein to side-artery anastomosis, RADAR uses an end-artery to side-vein anastomosis, additionally coupled with minimal vessel dissection. Investigators extend conventional "no touch" techniques and advocate avoidance of any venous dissection or manipulation. Investigators minimize arterial dissection as well, by dissecting the radial artery pedicle, not the artery itself.

The aim of this study is to compare the safety and efficacy of this novel technique with the traditional radial-cephalic fistula in the setting of a multicenter randomized controlled trial. Besides traditional endpoints such as patency and reintervention rates, hand blood perfusion will be assessed with objective measurements.

Inclusion criteria

• Patient referred by the nephrologist for the creation of a primary vascular access
• Clinical examination of both upper limbs showing on the same limb:

• A cephalic vein at the distal third of the forearm
• Radial pulse
• Ulnar pulse
• Positive Allen test (patent palmar arches)
• Preoperative arterial and venous duplex ultrasound examination of both limbs showing on the same limb :

• A patent cephalic vein, ≥2mm in diameter at the distal 1/3 of the forearm, free from stenosis, ≥15cm in length
• A patent on dominant radial artery, ≥2mm in diameter at the distal 1/3 of the forearm, free from stenosis and major calcifications
• A patent ulnar artery, free from stenosis and major calcifications
• A positive Allen's test with assessment of the retrograde flow (patent palmar aches)
• Digital pressure >50mmHg when occlusive compression is made on the radial artery and digital/brachial ratio >0.5

Exclusion criteria

• patient under guardianship