Bellows Patricia H, Anaya-Ayala Javier E, Cheema Zulfiqar F, Davies Mark G, Lumsden Alan B, Peden Eric K
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Methodist Hospital Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA.
Ann Vasc Surg. 2011 Feb;25(2):264.e5-8. doi: 10.1016/j.avsg.2010.03.029. Epub 2010 Aug 30.
Patients undergoing hemodialysis are known to develop central venous occlusion and exhaust all options for vascular access to upper extremity sites; therefore, creating and maintaining vascular access is paramount in such patients. The present case report describes the condition of a 34-year-old woman with failed upper extremity access, frequent catheter-related issues, and multiple central venous occlusions. As a last resort, access to the lower extremity was pursued as follows: an inferior vena cava bypass was combined with a right femoral transposition fistula and a distal revascularization interval ligation procedure. This complex procedure that was carried out for the purpose of vascular access is a unique, albeit aggressive, surgical solution that resulted in autologous vascular access with a 6-month patency and also served to improve the quality of life in the seemingly hopeless case.