Abstract: Objective To prospectively evaluate the efficacy of balloon angioplasty(BAP) in patients with venous hypertension associated with autogenous arteriovenous fistula(AVF). Methods 24 patients with venous hypertension associated with AVF were hospitalized between June 2010 and December 2011 in the Department of Nephrology of West China Hospital of Sichuan University. 15 of them who received BAP were recruited. The clinical characteristics, locations of the lesion and therapeutic effects were summarized. Results There were 15 patients (11 males and 4 females) recruited in our study with the mean age of (58.24±10.14) years. Central venous stenosis, obstruction or thrombosis was confirmed in all of them via computerized topographic angiography (CTA) or color Doppler ultrasound (CDU). DSA-guided balloon angioplasty (BAP) were then performed, 13 cases were successful while 2 other cases ended with failure because the guide wires cannot pass through the obstructed central venous. The symptoms were resolved after 2 days on average following BAP. Followed up for 7～24 months, 12 cases maintained clinical remission, and the AVFs were functional. Only one patient got a restenosis after 17 months later. Conclusions The preliminary results demonstrate that BAP for venous hypertension associated with AVF appears to be effective and safe. Further follow-up of patients is required to determine the long-term outcomes.

Key words: Balloon angioplasty, Arteriovenous fistula, Complication, Venous hypertension