Professor Chen Yuhong's Team: DKutting® High-Pressure Scoring Balloon Enhances AVF Patency
DK Medtech
Vascular Interventional Balloon Product Developer
With the vigorous development of China's peripheral vascular intervention market, common balloons tend to cause complications such as excessive vascular injury, flow-limiting dissections, and hematomas when addressing the increasing number of highly resistant stenotic lesions. In contrast, pressure-focusing balloons utilize cutting/notching elements positioned between the vessel wall and the balloon’s outer diameter during expansion to enhance localized pressure and enable efficient directional dilation, thereby reducing vascular elastic recoil. This innovation represents a new direction in the evolution of vascular intervention balloons.
DK Medtech's self-developed DKutting®The high-pressure scoring balloon, featuring an exclusive patented design (CN201810478242.X), boasts numerous advantages such as excellent trackability, uniform expansion, and high burst pressure. In terms of overall product performance, it can be regarded as a "hexagonal warrior," marking a significant breakthrough in local enterprises' independent innovation surpassing top-tier imported products.
DK Medtech Special Release[Professor Chen YuHong's Team: DKutting®High-Pressure Scoring Balloon Helps AVF Stay More Open: Case Presentation, demonstrating the precise operations of each case and the clinical application of advanced equipment and instruments. From the formulation of treatment strategies for different cases, standardized intraoperative procedures and technical applications, complication prevention, to perioperative management, etc., the aim is to promote the standardization of diagnosis and treatment for vascular stenosis and occlusive diseases, strengthen technical exchanges and experience sharing among doctors, with the hope of providing new ideas and methods for future diagnosis and treatment, benefiting more clinical patients.
DKutting®High-Pressure Scoring Balloon Helps AVF Stay More Open
Liuzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Chen Yuhong, Wei Li
Patient Information
Basic Information:Male, 42 years old, with a history of right internal jugular vein catheter dialysis for 2 years and left forearm AVF reconstruction for 7 months.
Chief Complaint:Reconstruction of Left Forearm AVF Still Unusable 7 Months Later (Admitted on December 12, 2024).
History of Present Illness:Reconstruction of the left forearm AVF was performed on May 16, 2024, but the fistula flow has been consistently insufficient for use. Attempts to puncture the fistula vessel for dialysis at a local hospital were unsuccessful.
Past Medical History:Diagnosed with chronic renal failure and uremia 2 years ago, a long-term catheter was placed in the right neck for dialysis. The patient has a history of renal hypertension, chronic heart failure, and iron-deficiency anemia. At the age of 7, the patient suffered a lumbar vertebral fracture and intestinal rupture due to trauma and underwent intestinal rupture repair surgery at a local hospital. Post-surgery, the patient experienced paralysis of both lower limbs and incontinence of bowel and bladder, along with recurrent pressure sores on the buttocks. In April 2018, the patient was hospitalized in the urology department of our hospital for "transurethral ureteroscopic cystolithotripsy, ureteroscopic dilation, and left ureteral stone holmium laser lithotripsy." On February 27, 2024, the first arteriovenous fistula (AVF) was established in the left forearm, and in May 2024, the fistula was found to be occluded.
Physical Examination:There are two surgical scars near the wrist on the left forearm, with weak thrill and vascular murmur upon palpation of the internal fistula. The vascular access on the left forearm is not superficial.
Admission Diagnosis:Left forearm AVF stenosis.
Previous interventional treatment
Time | Main Treatment Process |
October 2022 | Long-term catheter in the right internal jugular vein |
November 2023 | Right Jugular Catheter Infection |
February 2024 | Right Jugular Catheter Infection |
February 2024 | Left forearm AVF (first time), occlusion discovered 3 months later |
May 2024 | Left forearm AVF (reconstruction) |
Preoperative Analysis
Preoperative Analysis:Preoperative physical examination and color Doppler ultrasound evaluation suggested severe stenosis of the cephalic vein outflow tract accompanied by local calcification.
Surgical Objective:
Main Objectives:Dilate the cephalic vein outflow tract, restore normal fistula blood flow, and meet the needs of dialysis;
Secondary Objectives:Prolong AVF service life, fewer complications, fewer interventions.
Surgical Strategy/Plan:Balloon dilation under DSA guidance.
Equipment Preparation:
Standard Balloon 4*60mm
Standard Balloon 6*60mm
High-Pressure Balloon 6*40mm
DKutting®High-Pressure Scoring Balloon 6*40mm
Surgical Procedure
Preoperative angiography revealed significant stenosis in the outflow tract of the cephalic vein.
Repeated dilation with a 4*60mm standard balloon failed to fully expand the stenotic segment.
Repeated dilation with a 6*60mm standard balloon failed to fully expand the stenotic segment.
Repeated dilation of the stenotic segment with a 6*40mm high-pressure balloon was still unable to fully expand it.
After ordinary balloon and high-pressure balloon dilation, follow-up angiography showed improved blood flow in the fistula compared to pre-operation, but the stenotic segment of the outflow tract still remained.
The first dilation with a 6*40mm high-pressure scored balloon easily expanded the stenotic segment.
The second dilation with a 6*40mm high-pressure scored balloon showed complete expansion of the stenotic segment.
Angiography after DK Medtech high-pressure scored balloon dilation showed very satisfactory internal fistula blood flow.
Follow-up
Discharge Status:
After balloon dilation, the thrill of the AVF vessel significantly increased.
The next day, the AVF was used for dialysis treatment, and both blood flow and venous pressure were normal.
Case Summary
Case Characteristics:Severe stenosis with local calcification in the outflow tract of the left forearm arteriovenous fistula。
Preoperative Assessment Key Points:The patient underwent reconstruction of the left forearm AVF, but the flow of the fistula has been consistently insufficient. Combined with ultrasound findings, this is considered to be related to severe stenosis and local calcification of the outflow cephalic vein.
Surgical Strategy/Technical Key Points:
For the first PTA of the internal fistula vessel, pre-treat the vascular lesion segment with a smaller balloon, and be sure to avoid vascular rupture.
The use of high-pressure scoring balloons is beneficial for handling difficult cases.
Device Features/Usage Tips:
Better results may be achieved by dilating the severely narrowed segment with the balloon tip.
The balloon maintains a pressure-expanded state for approximately half a minute after inflation.
Effectiveness Evaluation:During this surgery, neither the conventional balloon catheter nor the high-pressure balloon catheter could fully dilate the stenotic segment of the fistula, and the blood flow through the fistula remained significantly restricted. After using the high-pressure scoring balloon, the stenotic segment was successfully dilated, resulting in highly satisfactory fistula blood flow.
Introduction of Experts
Professor Chen Yuhong
Director of Vascular Surgery
Chief Physician, Director of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Master's Supervisor;The 14th Batch of Top Talents in Liuzhou City;Vice Chairman of the Vascular Surgery Branch of the Guangxi Medical Association;National Committee Member of the Abdominal Aortic Study Group, Vascular Surgery Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association;Youth Committee Member of the Vascular Surgery Specialty Committee of the National Cardiovascular Disease Expert Committee;Youth Committee Member of the Vascular Medicine Professional Committee of the Chinese Research Hospital Association;National Committee Member of the Peripheral Vascular Branch of the Chinese Geriatrics Society.
Professor Wei Li
Associate Chief Physician, Surgeon
Associate Chief Physician of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery Department, Liuzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital.
Proficient in the diagnosis and treatment of lung tumors, mediastinal tumors, large vessel diseases, and peripheral vascular diseases, with a focus on establishing vascular access for dialysis and managing various access-related complications through interventional and open surgeries.
Social Positions:Member of the Second Vascular Access Group of the Vascular Surgery Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association;Committee Member of the Vascular Surgery Branch of the Guangxi Medical Doctor Association;Member of the Quality Control Group of the Venous Intervention Group of the Peripheral Vascular Surgery Branch of the Guangxi Physician Association;Member of the Multi-Disciplinary Comprehensive Treatment Committee of the Guangxi Medical Association;Member of the Lung Cancer Professional Committee of the Guangxi Anti-Cancer Association;Committee Member of the Peripheral Vascular Disease Prevention and Treatment Professional Committee of the Guangxi Preventive Medicine Association.
Department Introduction
The Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery at Liuzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital is a clinical department integrating medical treatment, scientific research, and teaching. It is a member of the Guangxi Venous Thrombosis Prevention and Treatment Alliance and the China Thoracic Wall Surgery Alliance, as well as the host unit of the Guizhong Regional Hemodialysis Access Alliance. It is also a specialized department for treating various cardiac surgical diseases, vascular surgical diseases, and thoracic surgical diseases. The vascular access team performs various dialysis access surgeries, including autologous arteriovenous fistula formation, arteriovenous graft bypass surgery, establishment and maintenance of long-term catheters, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for fistula complications, and open surgeries.
Department Work Phone: 0772-3356158. Patients in need are welcome to call for inquiries!
