Predictors of Primary Functional Maturation of Autogenous Radiocephalic Arteriovenous Fistula in a Cohort of Asian Patients

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the predictors of autogenous radiocephalic arteriovenous fistula (RCAVF) maturation.

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of patients undergoing RCAVF creation from June 2013 to December 2018 at a single medical center. Comparison of the variables between the matured and nonmatured group was performed.

Results: A total of 277 patients (men, 173; 62.5%) with a mean age of 56.6 ± 16.9 years underwent primary RCAVF creation during the study period. The mean diameter of the cephalic vein and radial artery were 2.4 ± 0.6 mm (range 1.5 to 4.3 mm) and 2.3 ± 0.5 mm (range 1.5 to 4.0 mm), respectively. Primary functional maturation was achieved in 236 patients (236/277, 85%). There was no statistical significance between the matured and nonmatured group in terms of age (56.4 ± 14.8 vs. 58.1 ± 15.1, respectively; P = 0.498), coronary arterial disease (12% vs. 17%, respectively; P = 0.449), diabetes mellitus (42% vs. 39%, respectively; P = 0.864), smoking (26% vs. 22%, respectively; P = 0.699), or antiplatelet therapy (23% vs. 24%, respectively; P = 0.844). However, female gender (35% vs. 54%, respectively; P = 0.024), peripheral arterial disease (9% vs. 22%, respectively; P = 0.025), and small vein (2.4 ± 0.5 mm vs. 2.0 ± 0.5 mm, respectively; P < 0.01) and artery (2.4 ± 0.5 vs. 2.1 ± 0.4, respectively; P < 0.01) diameter were associated with the failure of maturation. The best cutoff diameter for the cephalic vein and radial artery was 1.85 mm and 2.05 mm, respectively.

Conclusions: In this cohort of patients undergoing RCAVF creation, vein and artery diameter on preoperative ultrasound mapping was the predictor of functional maturation. Female gender and presence of peripheral arterial disease were associated with failure of maturation.