An occult cause of arteriovenous access failure: Central vein stenosis from permanent pacemaker wire - Report of three cases and review of the literature

Central vein stenosis is an indolent and underestimated complication of per manent pacemaker placement. It leads to serious problems in hemodialysis pa tients when arteriovenous (AV) fistulae/grafts were created at the ipsilate ral arm. We, herein, reported 3 cases of AV access failure resulting from p ermanent pacemaker-related central vein stenosis. The pathogenesis, clinica l manifestations, radiological findings, and therapeutic solution on this i ssue are discussed. It is mandatory to place the AV fistula/graft and perma nent pacemaker wire on the opposite side for prevention of the high risk of AV access failure Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.