Giant brachial artery aneurysm as a rare complication of a dialysis shunt. Issue 5 (September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schilling, Elisa Maria; Weinrich, Malte; Heller, Thomas; Koball, Sebastian; Neumann, Andreas
• Is Part Of: Journal of vascular access. Volume 21:Issue 5(2020)
• Page Start: 799
• Page End: 802
• Publication Date: 2020-09
• Subjects: Aneurysm -- arteriovenous fistula -- hemodialysis access -- brachial artery -- complications -- immunosuppression; Arterial catheterization -- Periodicals; Intravenous catheterization -- Periodicals; 612.13
• DOI: 10.1177/1129729819886746
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1129-7298

Abstract

Our patient exhibited a large tumor on his right upper arm where his former dialysis access site had been. X-ray, Doppler ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging scan could not fully reveal the nature of that tumor. Eventually, a surgical approach showed a giant aneurysm of the inflowing brachial artery to a partially obliterated arteriovenous fistula. This case highlights the importance of ongoing care for patients with arteriovenous shunts. Even arteriovenous fistulas, that are obliterated or no longer in use, can, especially when immunosuppressant therapy and other vascular risk factors are added to the overall cardiovascular risk, transform and endanger the health of our patients.