Right Brachial to Atrial Xenograft Conduit for Hemodialysis Access: A Case Report

Biologic grafts may be a viable alternative to their prosthetic counterparts in the patients who have exhausted conventional access alternatives given their superior patency rates and possible resilience to infection. This is a case report of a 66-year-old woman with end-stage renal disease and human immunodeficiency virus who has had multiple failed peripheral arteriovenous (AV) fistulas and grafts as well as inferior vena caval obstruction necessitating a transhepatic catheter for hemodialysis (HD). Given the patient's comorbidities and history, a right brachial artery-to-atrial conduit was created for long-term access. Biologic bovine carotid artery was used given its decreased susceptibility to infection and favorable patency rates. The AV access continues to function at 3.5-year follow-up and remains her primary means of HD. We present this novel use of a biologic graft as an option in patients with central venous obstruction and high risk of infection requiring exotic dialysis access.