Real-world effectiveness of DKutting Scoring Balloon for AVF and AVG stenosis and thrombosis

Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) and arteriovenous graft (AVG) stenosis are common complications among hemodialysis patients, necessitating repeated interventions due to neointimal hyperplasia and restenosis. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA), while a standard treatment, faces challenges in long-term efficacy. The DKutting Scoring Balloon, a novel advancement in scoring balloon technology, incorporates triangular scoring elements and non-compliant balloon material to create controlled micro-incisions in the vessel wall, aiming to enhance procedural precision, reduce vessel trauma, and lower restenosis rates. In the largest study of its kind, this retrospective analysis conducted at Beijing Haidian Hospital evaluated the device’s performance across 428 patients with significant AVF and AVG stenosis. The findings indicate primary patency rates of 98.1%, 90.8%, and 78.0% at 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively. Subgroup analyses revealed patency rates of 79.9% for AVF and 75.4% for AVG at 6 months, demonstrating its effectiveness even in resistant and recurrent cases. Importantly, no major adverse events were reported, underscoring the device’s safety profile. These observational findings suggest that the DKutting Scoring Balloon may offer favorable outcomes compared to those typically reported with conventional PTA, though these results should be interpreted as hypothesis-generating and further randomized controlled trials are recommended to corroborate these findings and optimize its integration into clinical practice.