Clinical Trial: Vein Histology in Arteriovenous Fistulas and Its Effect on Fistula Surgery Success

Study Status: Recruiting
Recruit Status: Unknown status
Study Type: Observational

Official Title: A Cohort Study of the Histopathological Changes Evident in Vein Wall at the Time of Arteriovenous Dialysis Access Fistulas and the Effects of Such Changes on Biomechanical Compliance and Patient's Cli

Brief Summary:

Patients whose kidneys have failed need to receive dialysis treatment, most commonly with a dialysis machine. In order to be connected to the machine an operation is often performed to join an artery to a vein in the arm. This forms what is known as an arteriovenous fistula. The fistula causes an increase in the flow of blood through the vein and the vein reacts to this by becoming bigger and thicker, making it easier to connect the patient to the machine.

The success rate for the operation is relatively low and only approximately 65 from every 100 operations is still working after a year. It is thought that one factor that may cause problems with the fistula is the ability of the vein to stretch in response to increased blood flow. Previous research has shown that veins in kidney failure patients look different to those of people whose kidneys are working when viewed under a microscope.

The investigators aim to study the structure of the vein that is used in making fistulas with a microscope and also to test it in an engineering laboratory to see how much it will stretch. The investigators hope that gaining information about the structure of the vein and its ability to stretch will help determine what it is about the vein that affects how well it works as part of a fistula. This information may help surgeons select the best possible vein in a given patient to give the best chance of a working fistula in the future.


Detailed Summary:
Sponsor: University of Hull

Current Primary Outcome: - Primary failure of access[10] - Immediate/early thrombosis or failure to mature. [ Time Frame: within 30 days of formation ]

Failure to mature or thrombosis of fistula


Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome:

  • - Duplex findings of evidence of stenosis and correlation to compliance or histological findings [ Time Frame: 6 months ]
  • - Correlation between biomechanical compliance and histological measures of pre existing venous pathology [ Time Frame: 6 months ]
  • -Correlation between biomechanical compliance testing and clinical outcomes [ Time Frame: 6 months ]
  • Assisted primary and secondary patency rates at 3 and 6 months post fistula formation [ Time Frame: 6 months ]
  • - Functional primary patency [ Time Frame: 6 months ]


Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: University of Hull

Dates:
Date Received: April 5, 2010
Date Started: July 2010
Date Completion: September 2011
Last Updated: April 5, 2010
Last Verified: March 2010