Hemodialysis fistulas and grafts: use of cutting balloons to dilate venous stenoses.

To evaluate percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) with a cutting balloon performed in stenosed hemodialysis fistulas and grafts, 19 venous lesions in 15 patients were treated with a cutting balloon with an inflated diameter of 3-6 mm. The grade of stenosis ranged from 40% to 90% (mean, 65% +/- 15 [standard deviation]). Cutting PTA was performed before conventional PTA in seven patients and was followed with conventional PTA with larger balloons in seven patients. The balloon expanded completely in all patients, and no balloon waist remained. The mean grade of stenosis decreased to 14% +/- 9. Cutting PTA increased the technical success of balloon dilation of hemodialysis fistulas and grafts.