Results of drug‐eluting stent in significant restenosis of the hemodialysis access: An initial study.

Background: This study aimed to report the 12‐month results of drug‐eluting stent (DES) for the treatment of significant restenosis of the hemodialysis access. Materials and methods: A total of 14 patients (seven men and seven women; median age 70 years; range of 50–83 years) with significant restenosis of hemodialysis accesses were enrolled from January 2017 to December 2018. A total of 10 arteriovenous graft (AVG) and four arteriovenous fistulae were treated with DES. Study outcomes included primary patency of the target lesion and circuit. Results: Venous anastomosis of the AVG was the most common target lesion for DES insertion (nine hemodialysis accesses). The range of follow‐up time was 12–36 months. Primary patency rates of target lesion before DES (patency for last conventional balloon angioplasty [CBA]) versus target lesion after DES at 6 and 12 months were 29% versus 100% and 7% versus 86% (p < 0.001). Primary patency rates of pre‐DES circuit (patency for last CBA) versus post‐DES circuit at 6 and 12 months were 29% versus 64% and 7% versus 29%, respectively (p = 0.058). Conclusion: DES might improve the patency rate of target lesion in patients with significant restenosis of the hemodialysis access. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]