Tuesday 30 / April / 2024
Muscat: NMC Specialty Hospital, Ghoubra, leading multi-specialty hospital in Oman has launched a facility for AV (Arteriovenous) fistula which is the first of its kind in The Sultanate in the private sector. NMC Hospital Ghoubra in association with Heart & Vascular Centre, Udhaiba, and the support of IntraMedica, the distributer for "WavelinQ" endoAVFtechnology in Oman, performed Endo AV fistula creation successfully for two hemodialysis patients last week.
The procedure was done at the State-of-the-art Cath Lab at NMC Hospital Ghoubra under the supervision ofDr Faisal Alam, Visiting Sr Consultant Vascular & Endovascular Surgeon from HVC Udhaiba.
“Patients undergoing regular hemodialysis sessions not just need a clean and safe environment along with specialized care, also need AV fistula formation for regular maintenance of dialysis” Dr Faisal Alam said. “It is a unique procedure through which the vein and artery are connected and hence the dialysis sessions can be carried out with minimum complications and long-standing issues.
The newstate-of-the-art procedure called "endoAVF" ensures that the pain and complications in dialysis is reduced and provides maximum patient benefit. Traditionally, the AV fistulasare created surgically through a skin incision but endoAVFtechnology makes it possible to create a fistula through needle punctures.” Dr Faisal added.
NMC Hospital Ghoubra is the first Hospital in Oman to perform the breakthrough procedure in association with Dr Faisal Alam, visiting vascular surgeon at Heart & Vascular Centre Udhaiba.
Dr Faisal continued, “Kidney patients should get their AV fistula formed sooner when a patient is in the advanced stage of kidney failure so that one can start hemodialysis as a bridge until he or she can undergo kidney transplant. An AV fistula is created in the arms of the patient. During the formation of the fistula, a vein and an artery are connected which is created under the skin in one’s arm.
If AV fistula not created among dialysis patients;they will be dependent on dialysis catheters that have many complications.” “Worldwide, 2 million people with ESKD (End Stage Kidney Disease) receive hemodialysis therapy and require vascular access to connect their blood circulation to a dialysis machine.
AV fistulas are the preferred approach to achieve vascular access and until recently, they have required an open surgical procedure for creation. The US FDA approved latest WavelinQ™ EndoAVF System is designed to create an endovascular AV fistula (endoAVF) for hemodialysis access in patients who have chronic kidney disease and need dialysis, using a completely endovascular approach in vessels that are not traditionally used during open surgery.
It also gives the patient more access sites for the dialysis. So, the patient will gain more options and will feel freer in his dialysis process. This procedure will not affect the vascular surgeon’s decision in the future if he decided to go with the surgical fistula again, which means that this procedure is totally safe and has no adverse effect on the patient. Moreover, this invasive procedure avoids surgical scarring and minimizes arm disfigurement associated with open surgery.”
“The catheters are each inserted into an artery and a vein in the arm through a small puncture. Using fluoroscopy, the catheters are advanced to the appropriate location for creation of an endovascular AV fistula. The magnets in the catheters allow them to be precisely aligned while pulling the two adjacent vessels closer together.
The venous catheter, which contains the electrode, delivers a burst of radiofrequency (RF) energy to create a connection between the artery and the vein. “Connect that artery to the vein, and patient is not going to have to have any pain medicines after this, not going to have to have any surgical wounds, not going to have any stitches or staples, just going to have an adhesive bandage.” Dr Faisal explained how simply the procedure was performed.
However, not every patient is suitable for this approach. Hence it is very important that a thorough review and discussion with a vascular surgeon regarding the options prior to a final decision is very important. Dr Faisal also expressed his gratitude to the entire team of ‘Intramedica’ who are the distributors for WavelinQ™ in Oman.
Dr Deep Makkar, GM NMC Healthcare Oman said, "Dialysis is a necessary and life-saving procedure for thousands of individuals. With the new technology/technique action, there will be additional, less-invasive vascular access options for patients who will require hemodialysis. With the two new devices, a catheter is inserted into a blood vessel in the forearm and is guided to the site of the planned AV fistula.
Energy is delivered to form a connection between an upper forearm artery and an adjacent vein.” "Surgically created AV fistulas typically take several months to heal and for the vein to mature before they are able to be used for hemodialysis.”
He added. For more details you may just WhatsApp to 72654000.On behalf of NMC Healthcare Oman, sincere thanks to INTRAMEDICA LLC, the dealers for WavelinQ™,for all the support and cooperation extended to get these procedures performed successfully.
NMC Specialty Hospital Ghoubra is having state-of-the-art Hemodialysis Unit under the supervision of Dr Amitabh Jha, Sr Consultant Nephrologist. Apart from dedicated Urology & Nephrology Departments, NMC Specialty Hospitals also offers key services for Heart & Vascular, Joint Replacements& Spine, Mother & Child and Gastro & Bariatrics services.
