Dynamic Banding (DYBAND) Technique for Symptomatic High-Flow Fistulae.

INTRODUCTION: High flow rates may develop in arteriovenous fistula (AVF), resulting in clinical syndromes of steal, aneurysmal fistula, or high-output cardiac failure. Various techniques with varying success have been advocated to treat this difficult problem. We present a hemodynamically validated novel banding technique.

METHODS: We designed a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model of the native high-flow AVF and tested various juxta-anastomotic venous diameters to determine the effect on AVF blood flow and pressure. We translated this principle in our banding technique, wherein adjustable banding was performed in conjunction with ultrasound-guided brachial artery flow measurement to determine the optimal band diameter. Polyurethane patch was used to fashion the adjustable band. Patient demographics, AVF flow parameters pre- and postintervention, operative intervention, and ultrasound follow-up data were collected prospectively.

RESULTS: Our CFD testing demonstrated that the band diameter needed to achieve optimal distal blood pressure and preserve AVF flow depending on blood pressure, end capillary pressure, venous pressure, and vascular diameters. Five patients subsequently underwent dynamic banding of symptomatic high-flow AVF. Mean brachial artery blood flow rates pre- and postbanding were 2964 mL/min (confidence interval [CI]: 1487-4440 mL/min) and 1099 mL/min (CI: 571.7-1627 mL/min), respectively (P = .01). All patients had symptomatic improvement, and at a mean follow-up of 1 year, this benefit was sustained with no AVF thrombosis or loss.

CONCLUSION: Adjustable dynamic band using ultrasound-guided brachial artery flow shows promising results in producing accurate AVF blood flow reduction with sustained efficacy in the short term for patients with symptomatic high-flow AVF.