Technical report: use of a 3 French catheter for transbrachial evaluation of surgically-created arteriovenous fistulae in dialysis patients.
Surgically-created arteriovenous fistulae (SCAVF) are widely used for the management of patients with chronic renal failure. Satisfactory function of the SCAVF is essential for adequate haemodialysis. Complications, although relatively uncommon, may occur and assessment of the SCAVF is essential before surgical revision of the fistula, thrombolysis or percutaneous transluminal angioplasty can be undertaken. Numerous arteriographic methods for evaluating SCAVF in the arm have been reported. We describe a new method involving percutaneous retrograde catheterization of the brachial artery proximal to the SCAVF with a commercially available 3 F intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography catheter set (Cook [UK] Limited).
Goldin
J
J
Department of Radiology, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London.
Dacie
J E
JE
D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical; D001916:Brachial Artery; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005542:Forearm / Q000098:blood supply; D006801:Humans; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D006435:Renal Dialysis