In South Korea at the end of 2006, the total number of patients that had undergone renal replacement therapy was 46,730 (hemodialysis: 62.1%, peritoneal dialysis: 17.1%, functioning kidney transplantation: 20.8%). There were 9,197 new renal replacement therapy patients in 2006 and the incidence rate per million 185.3. In South Korea, the most common primary cause of end stage renal disease was diabetic nephropathy (42.3%), hypertensive nephrosclerosis (16.9%), and chronic glomerulonephritis (13.0%). The National Kidney Foundation Dialysis Outcomes Quality Initiative (K/DOQI) has recommended placement of autogenous arteriovenous fistulas over alternatives including the use of arteriovenous grafts and central venous catheters to improve the overall outcome of patients undergoing hemodialysis. However, autogenous arteriovenous fistulas, like polytetrafluoroethylene grafts, are also subject to dysfunction and eventual failure. Since first described in 1982, percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty has become the mainstay of treatment for accesses failing because of underlying central or peripheral venous stenoses. When angioplasty alone fails, alternative treatment modalities, including stent placement and atherectomy, allow immediate salvage in most cases. Consequently, interventional treatment should be attempted first for dysfunctional and thrombosed autogenous vascular access and should be initiated in all dialysis centers so long as the local radiologists are trained and enthusiastic.