What is EndoAVF?

When you have end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), your kidneys can no longer keep up with your body’s need to remove extra waste and water.

In fact, once your kidneys only have 10-15% of normal function, dialysis treatments or a kidney transplant are necessary to sustain life.1

When it comes to creating access to your bloodstream to administer hemodialysis, there are several access options. Your access options may vary greatly depending on your condition.

Keep in mind, risks with all ESKD access options should be discussed with your physician.

 

Arteriovenous Fistula (AVF)

AV fistulas can be created in your wrist, forearm, inner elbow or upper arm. Your AVF can be created either with an open surgery (surgical AVF) or with a minimally invasive procedure (endoAVF). WavelinQ™ EndoAVFs are created in the upper forearm. While maturation varies, some AV fistulas are able to function for many years.

Patients who may benefit from an endoAVF are chronic kidney disease patients who need hemodialysis. In addition, a patient must meet certain anatomical characteristics that support the use of the WavelinQ™ EndoAVF System procedure. Patients should consult their physician to determine if they are a candidate for an endoAVF procedure.

 

Procedural Overview: WavelinQ™ EndoAVF vs. Surgical AVF

WavelinQ™ EndoAVF

Two thin devices create a connection between your vein and artery without the need for open surgery. The devices are removed from the body once the connection is created.

Surgical AVF

A surgeon dissects one of your veins with a scalpel and sews it to one of your arteries during an open surgery.

WavelinQ™ EndoAVF

Step 1 left image

1

The doctor inserts two thin devices into the artery and the vein through small needle punctures.

Surgical AVF

Step 1 right image

1

A surgical cut is made with a scapel.

WavelinQ™ EndoAVF

Step 2 left image

2

Magnets align the devices and a connection is made between the vein and artery in the forearm. The doctor then removes the devices.

Surgical AVF

Step 2 right image

2

A vein is dissected, moved, and sewn into an artery.

WavelinQ™ EndoAVF

Step 3 left image

3

The arm heals without stitches with little to no scarring.

Surgical AVF

Step 3 right image

3

The surgical wound is stitched closed and heals over the next few weeks.

Post-Procedure Steps

WavelinQ™ EndoAVF

  •  The small needle punctures heal quickly with minimal need for wound care.
  • Additional procedures may be needed to prepare the endoAVF for hemodialysis.
  • Follow-up visits will be required over the next few weeks to determine when the AVF is ready for hemodialysis.

Surgical AVF

  • Your healthcare provider will give you detailed instructions on how to care for your surgical wound.
  • Literature suggests that it is common that two or more procedures are required to make surgical AVFs ready for and to maintain hemodialysis access.
  • Follow-up visits will be required over the next few weeks to determine when the AVF is ready for hemodialysis.

Potential Benefits

EndoAVF provides a non-surgical AV fistula creation option, offering potential benefits compared to surgical AV fistula creation.

Stat

Avoids surgical scar and minimizes arm disfigurement associated with open surgery.

Stat

Additional anatomic locations for AVF creation.2

Stat

Can be created with local or regional anesthesia.

Avoids Scars and Minimizes Arm Disfigurement Associated with Open Surgery

EndoAVF Creation Site
EndoAVF Creation Site
At 1st Cannulation
At 1st Cannulation
At ~1 Year Post-Op
At ~1 Year Post-Op
At ~2.5 Years Post-Op
At ~2.5 Years Post-Op
EndoAVF Creation Site
EndoAVF Creation Site
At 1st Cannulation
At 1st Cannulation
At ~1 Year Post-Op
At ~1 Year Post-Op
At ~2.5 Years Post-Op
At ~2.5 Years Post-Op

Individual patient outcomes can and do vary based on the condition of the patient, severity of disease, extent of surgery, and response to treatment.

What are the potential adverse events associated with WavelinQ™ EndoAVF System?

Potential adverse events include: aborted (terminated) or longer procedure; additional procedures; bleeding, hematoma (bruise) or hemorrhage (bleeding); bruising; burns; death; electrocution; embolism (occlusion/blockage of vessels); failure to mature; fever; increased risk of congestive heart failure; infection; numbness, tingling, and/or coolness; occlusion/stenosis (blockage/narrowing); problem due to sedation or anesthesia; pseudoaneurysm (false swelling); aneurysm, sepsis (infection); steal syndrome or ischemia (not enough blood flow); swelling, irritation, or pain; thrombosis (clotting); toxic or allergic reaction; venous hypertension (arm swelling); vessel, nerve, or AVF damage or rupture; wound problem.

Patient Resources

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Learn more about how you can offer more options for your ESKD patients with WavelinQ™ EndoAVF System.

REFERENCES
1 A to Z Health Guide, Hemodialysis. National Kidney Foundation, 2019. https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/hemodialysis
2 The WavelinQ™ EndoAVF System is indicated for the creation of an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) using concomitant ulnar artery and ulnar vein or concomitant radial artery and radial vein in patients with minimum artery and vein diameters of 2.0 mm at the fistula creation site who have chronic kidney disease and need hemodialysis.