24 WavelinQTM EndoAVF System: The radial approach from a vascular surgery perspective / Advertorial
September 2021 | Issue 83
The WavelinQ™ EndoAVF System takes an innovative approach in creating endovascular AV fistula (endoAVF) for dialysis patients. Rethink fistula creation and maintenance with Tobias Steinke, Ounali Jaffer, Panagiotis Kitrou and Robert Jones in this four-page advertorial, sponsored by BD.
Minimally-invasive, outpatient WavelinQ offers an alternative to open surgery According to Tobias Steinke, head of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Schoen Klinik Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany, patients are often keen to undergo minimally invasive procedures and may prefer these to open surgical options. As a vascular surgeon, the WavelinQ System offers additional anatomic sites for percutaneous arteriovenous fistula (AVF) creation that may not compromise surgical alternatives, which is a really important aspect, according to Steinke.
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multidisciplinary team involving nephrologists, vascular surgeons, interventional radiologists, anaesthetists, nurses and vascular technologists is key to approaching decision-making before AVF creation, says Steinke. “It is quite important that all the physicians involved in creating, using and maintaining AVFs communicate with each other. How quickly is this access required for needling? Which options allow the quickest needling of the access?” These are examples of questions that generate multidisciplinary discussion, he notes. “In our practice, if there is time and the patient is young, we prefer to begin with a surgical creation of a radiocephalic fistula, because long-term, if it works as intended, this will be the best option. If we have a Parallel: Access from upper arm (brachial artery/ brachial vein)
Target Creation Site
WavelinQ offers the option of creating EndoAVF at multiple creation sites in the forearm
patient who needs an access quite quickly, we usually move to the level of the elbow and again, surgically create a brachiocephalic fistula, which often has a shorter maturation time. The EndoAVF options can be used for patients who have vessels with accepted criteria, Tobias Steinke and work very well as they are positioned in the “middle ground” between the two surgical options at the wrist and above the arm,” explains Steinke. WavelinQ EndoAVF creation offers versatility in enabling multiple creation sites. “There are several anatomical options: lateral radial vein; medial radial vein; lateral ulnar vein; medial ulnar vein; and the location of the perforator plays a role as well. The target creation site should be as close as possible to the perforator to create conditions for the outflow to enable large amounts of blood to pass through these vessels for dialysis,” elaborates Steinke. “The case I am about to discuss involved a patient with end-stage renal disease. He had a surgically created radiocephalic fistula, which failed over time.
The next distal option to create another AVF, before going directly to the level of the elbow to create a brachiocephalic surgical fistula was at the lateral radial vein in direct connection with the perforator. The patient’s vessels were highly suitable for WavelinQ EndoAVF creation with the perforator optimally located to create a radial-radial fistula. In assessing vessel suitability for EndoAVF creation I always look at the diameter of vessels, location of the perforator and calcification. “Vessel mapping is mission critical. Operators really do have to understand the relationship between the arteries and veins in the arm and how the deep venous system is connected to the superficial venous system, especially with reference to the perforator vein. You have to construct a three-dimensional mind map of the venous and arterial system to establish the ideal location to create the AVF. So, proper vessel mapping, and really knowing how those veins are connected to each other is essential to be successful,” he concludes.
WavelinQ EndoAVF creation results in little or no disfigurement, which often convinces patients, especially those who refuse open surgery, to undergo the procedure.”
My procedural considerations
Target Creation Site
• Practising ultrasound puncture techniques is critical. There is a learning curve associated with this aspect, especially when puncturing the vein. Therefore, practice makes perfect. Moreover, procedural success also rests on puncturing the radial artery, which is usually pretty small (2mm) and this can also be challenging.
Parallel: Access from wrist (ulnar artery /ulnar vein or radial artery/radial vein)
• Always consider coiling during the procedure if the anatomy allows. Coils should be placed proximally to the created EndoAVF so that the venous outflow into the deep venous system is embolised and you direct the flow up to the superficial system. This can help facilitate maturation. • Always check the deep radial veins in different views that is parallel to the brachial artery above the elbow.
Anti-Parallel: Access from wrist (ulnar vein) and upper arm (brachial artery)
• Use the several connecting bridges from the medial to the lateral radial vein, which allow crossing from one side to the other to get the best parallel wire position during the procedure. Interventionalists may use those bridges to cross over with a guidewire to find the best catheter position. Some operators prefer to puncture the vein and then go straight up.
Target Creation Site Figure 1. Advancing venous catheter using a valve crosser to protect the electrode. Figure 2. The tissue gap before and after the delivery of radiofrequency energy. Figure 3. Post-creation fistulogram
• Aim to create the AVF as near as possible to the perforator.
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