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Prosthetic arteriovenous (AV) grafts used for hemodialysis access are prone to the development of stenosis at the anastamotic site. Balloon angioplasty is often used to treat this problem, but elastic recoil and neointimal tissue ingrowth limit its success. In this manufacturer-sponsored, multicenter, randomized trial, 190 patients with ≥50% stenosis (mean, about 70%) in nonthrombosed synthetic AV access grafts underwent balloon angioplasty, either alone or followed by placement of a self-expanding, polytetrafluoroethylene-covered nitinol stent graft.
The two groups were well matched in baseline and angiographic characteristics and achieved similar average balloon diameters during dilation. Sixteen percent of implanted stent grafts were stra…