Effects of brachytherapy on intimal hyperplasia in arteriovenous fistulas in a porcine model

Victor M. Rodriguez, Jay Grove, Susan Yelich, David Pearson, Moni Stein, William C. Pevec

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

PURPOSE: The hypotheses of this investigation were that endovascular radiation would reduce intimal hyperplasia in arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) and that this reduction would be associated with decreased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-A, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bilateral end jugular vein-to-side carotid artery fistulas were constructed in pigs. At 48 hours, one AVF was randomly selected for endovascular radiation with 192Iridium. The contralateral fistula received no radiation and served as a control. Animals in group 1 (n = 7) received 14 Gy of radiation at a depth of 2 mm and tissue was harvested at 29 days; animals in group 2 received 7 Gy of radiation at a depth of 2 mm and tissue was harvested at 29 days (n = 8); and animals in group 3 received 7 Gy of radiation at a depth of 2 mm and tissue was harvested at 56 days (n = 8). The area and maximum thickness of intimal hyperplasia were then measured blindly. Immunohistochemical results for VEGF, PDGF-A, and TNFα were obtained and analyzed blindly by assigning a score of 0-3, with 0 indicating no staining and 3 indicating maximum staining. RESULTS: Irradiation with 14 Gy caused severe fibrosis in the media of the vein, with thrombosis of three of seven AVFs. Compared with the control group, the group that underwent irradiation with 7 Gy had significantly reduced intimal area at 56 days (9.9 mm2 ± 4.9 vs 2.1 mm2 ± 1.1; P = .001). This reduction correlated with significant reduction in the expression of VEGF (score of 2.2 ± 0.1 vs 1.2 ± 0.2; P = .001) and TNFα (1.3 ± 0.1 vs 0.9 ± 0.1; P = .04). CONCLUSION: Fourteen grays is an excessive radiation dose for veins, causing medial fibrosis and thrombosis of the AVF. Irradiation with 7 Gy effectively inhibited the formation of intimal hyperplasia in AVF. This inhibition correlated with decreased expression of VEGF and TNFα.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1239-1246
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology
Volume13
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2002
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Blood vessels, stenosis or obstruction
  • Brachytherapy
  • Fistula, arteriovenous
  • Intimal hyperplasia

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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