Purpose: To evaluate the use of stent-grafts for the percutaneous closure of arteriovenous fistulas that develop after cardiac catheterization.
Materials and methods: From January 1994 to November 1997, 14 arteriovenous fistulas in 13 patients (eight men, five women; age range, 46-65 years; mean age, 53.5 years) were treated. Eleven fistulas were situated between the deep femoral artery and the common femoral vein, and three fistulas were between the superficial femoral artery and the common femoral vein. All fistulas were closed with stent-grafts positioned in the artery at the level of the fistula.
Results: The percutaneous treatment of arteriovenous fistulas was successful in all cases. The findings at angiography performed after the procedure demonstrated the closure of the fistulas and the correct positioning of the prostheses; veins were no longer visible. One complication occurred--a partial thrombosis of the common femoral vein at the puncture site after manual compression.
Conclusion: On the basis of the preliminary data, the authors believe that the percutaneous closure of arteriovenous fistulas with stent-grafts is a safe and effective alternative to conventional surgery.