Short- and Long-Term Functional Effects of Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty in Hemodialysis Vascular Access

. The efficacy of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is usually expressed as the angiographic result. Access flow (Qa) measurements offer a means to quantify the functional effects. This study was performed to evaluate the short-term functional and angiographic effects of PTA and to determine the longevity of the functional effects during the follow-up period. Patients with an arteriovenous graft (AVG) or an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) who were eligible for PTA (Qa values of 600 ml/min. The degree of stenosis decreased from 65 ± 3 to 17 ± 2% for AVG and from 72 ± 5 to 23 ± 7% for AVF (both P 600 ml/min. Qa values before PTA and the increase in Qa were correlated with long-term outcomes, whereas angiographic results were not. These data, combined with literature data, suggest that there is optimal timing for PTA.