Strecker stent in stenotic hemodialysis Brescia-Cimino arteriovenous fistulas.

Flexible tantalum stents (Strecker) were used as an adjunct to percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in the treatment of stenotic arterial or venous limbs of Brescia-Cimino hemodialysis fistulas. The diagnostic procedure was performed using retrograde fistulography. After PTA with unsatisfactory results, stents were placed in 5 patients with significant residual stenoses and poor fistula function. Within the mean follow-up period of 6.4 months (range 3-10 months) all fistulas were functioning. We conclude that Strecker stent is useful in the treatment of stenotic hemodialysis arteriovenous fistulas as an adjunct to PTA.