Cutting balloon angioplasty for resistant venous stenoses of Brescia-Cimino fistulas.

Peripheral cutting balloons with diameters of 5-8 mm were employed to dilate eight resistant stenoses among 62 venous stenoses in 48 Brescia-Cimino fistulas. The grade of stenosis after high-pressure balloon angioplasty ranged from 57% to 87% (median, 75%). The residual stenosis after cutting balloon angioplasty ranged from 0 to 24% (median, 10.5%). Two complications occurred among these eight cases, one of which was treated by stent placement. No repeated intervention was necessary during follow-up (range, 74-249 days; median, 141 days). Cutting balloon angioplasty was effective to overcome the resistance of venous stenosis in hemodialysis fistulas.