Drug-Eluting Stent versus Interwoven Bare-Metal Stent in Clinically Significant Vein-Graft Anastomotic Stenosis of Hemodialysis Arteriovenous Graft

PURPOSE: To date, no direct comparison has been made between the patency rates of drug-eluting stents (DESs) and interwoven stents (IWSs) in addressing hemodialysis access dysfunction. This study aims to directly compare the primary patency rates of DES and IWS in clinically significant vein-graft anastomotic stenosis of arteriovenous grafts (AVGs). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between January 2015 and October 2022, we enrolled all hemodialysis patients with clinically significant vein-graft anastomotic stenosis of AVGs who presented at our institution. Patient demographics, AVG details, lesion characteristics, and primary patency data for each stent group were systemically recorded. Following this, a Kaplan-Meier analysis of the primary stent patency was performed, with statistical significance set at p<0.05. RESULTS: A total of 51 patients (19 men and 32 women; mean age=64 years; range=49-79 years) were enrolled. Among them, 16 were treated with DES and 35 were treated with IWS. Notably, the most common stent placement location in each group was the vein-graft anastomosis of the brachioaxillary grafts, and the primary patency rate was monitored over a follow-up period of 24 months. At 6, 12, and 24 months, the primary patency rates for DES vs IWS were 100% vs 62.7%, 91.7% vs 38.8%, and 62.9% vs 21.4%, respectively (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that DES may be a more effective treatment choice for clinically significant vein-graft anastomotic stenosis in AVGs for hemodialysis access than nondrug-coated IWS.Clinical ImpactDrug-eluting stents (DES) have been widely recognized for their efficacy in reducing reintervention rates in coronary and femoropopliteal pathologies. However, their application in managing failing hemodialysis access remains inadequately explored. This study highlights the promising potential of DES in addressing clinically significant vein-graft anastomotic stenosis in hemodialysis arteriovenous grafts (AVG). DES may represent a viable alternative for mitigating substantial immediate recoil stenosis following balloon angioplasty and for preventing early restenosis at the vein-graft anastomosis of AVG, offering a novel therapeutic avenue for future clinical practice.