Potential benefits of basilic vein preservation in upper-arm arteriovenous fistula creation: Implications for stenosis site alteration

Preservation of the basilic vein in upper-arm AVFs may shift the site of stenosis from the cephalic arch to the distal cephalic vein. Distal cephalic vein stenosis is easier to treat with endovascular or surgical intervention, and it allows preservation of the axillary vein for future AV access creation. Moreover, preservation of the basilic vein did not negatively affect fistula maturation rates.