Computational Analysis of Turbulent Hemodynamics in Radiocephalic Arteriovenous Fistulas to Determine the Best Anastomotic Angles

Background: Hemodynamics has been known to play a major role in the development of intimal hyperplasia leading to arteriovenous fistula failure. The goal of our study is to investigate the influence of different angles of side-to-end radiocephalic anastomosis on the hemodynamic parameters that promote intimal dysfunction and therefore intimal hyperplasia. Methods: Realistic three-dimensional meshes were reconstructed using ultrasound measurements from distal side-to-end radiocephalic fistulas. The velocity at the proximal and distal radial inflows and at specific locations along the anastomosis and cephalic vein was measured through duplex ultrasound performed by a single examiner. A computational parametric study, virtually changing the inner angle of anastomosis, was performed. For this purpose, we used advanced computational models that include suitable tools to capture the pulsatile and turbulent nature of the blood flow found in arteriovenous fistulas. The results were analyzed in terms of velocity fields, wall shear stress distribution, and oscillatory shear index. Results: Results show that the regions with high oscillatory shear index, which are more prone to the development of hyperplasia, are greater and progressively shift toward the anastomosis area and the proximal vein segment with the decrease of the inner angle of anastomosis. These results are specific to distal radiocephalic fistulas because they are subject to proximal and distal radial inflow. Conclusions: The results of this study show that inner anastomosis angles approaching 60-70 degrees seem to yield the best hemodynamic conditions for maturation and long-term patency of distal radiocephalic fistulas. Inner angles greater than 90 degrees, representing the smooth loop technique, did not show a clear hemodynamic advantage.