Ultrasound guided percutaneous sharp recanalization for restoring patency from peripheral chronic total occlusions of hemodialysis accesses

Objective: Resistant chronic total occlusion (CTO) lesions present an ongoing challenge for conventional endovascular interventions to restore functional hemodialysis (HD) access. This study endeavors to present a novel endovascular approach utilizing ultrasound (USG)-guided percutaneous sharp recanalization to cross the resistant occlusions and evaluates its effectiveness. Methods: This is a multi-center retrospective review of consecutive patients received USG guided sharp recanalization for the treatment of resistant CTO lesions of their HD access between 1st January 2019 and 31st July 2023. Data encompassing patient demographics, access and lesion characteristics, procedural specifics, associated complications, immediate clinical outcomes, and outcomes during follow-up were collected. The procedural technical and clinical success, Kaplan-Meier estimated target lesion (TLPP), access circuit primary patency (ACPP), and index access secondary patency (SP) were reported. Results: During the study period, 22 patients underwent USG-guided sharp recanalization procedures in the three participating centers with median follow-up of 14.5 months. Both the technical and clinical success were 100%. Only two patients experienced minor complications of localized hematoma over the access, with no instances of major complication. Kaplan-Meier estimated TLPP and ACPP at 3-, 6-, and 12 months were 90.9%, 68.2%, 56.8%, and 90.9%, 63.6%, 52.1% respectively. The SP rates were 100%, 95.5%, and 84.1% at 3-, 6-, and 12 months respectively. Conclusion: USG guided percutaneous sharp recanalization is an effective and safe endovascular approach to treat resistant CTO lesions of dysfunctional HD access.