OBJECTIVE: The authors report results for the surgical treatment of ischemic "steal syndrome" resulting from hemodialysis vascular access with distal revascularization-interval ligation procedure. METHODS: From December 2003 through November 2004, four patients with "steal syndrome" resulting from hemodialysis vascular access were submitted to distal revascularization-interval ligation and followed until December 2005. All four patients had rest pain and two developed ulcerations. RESULTS: All patients presented regression of symptoms, healing of ulcerations, and continued to use the same vascular access for hemodialysis. CONCLUSION: The authors conclude that the distal revascularization-interval ligation procedure is the treatment of choice for ischemic "steal syndrome", since it effectively treats the ischemic symptoms and maintains a functioning vascular access.
Vascular access; steal syndrome; hemodialysis; arteriovenous fistula
