A new approach to evaluate vascular access in hemodialysis patients.
We evaluated the importance of vascular access in hemodialysis patients using noninvasive methods with the Transonic Systems monitor in 108 patients. Most of these patients (84%) had native vein fistulas. We found that a blood flow rate of below 500 ml/min suggested the occurrence of vascular stenosis and justified confirmation by angiography. Increased recirculation could be evaluated readily and was detected in only 10% of patients. Finally, employing the evaluation of the Kt/V index, we found a good correlation between low flux through the fistula and a low Kt/V value.
Department of Nephrology Hemodialysis, Hopital de la Conception, Marseille, France.
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D
Bouchouareb
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A
Saveanu
J M
JM
Bartoli
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M
Olmer
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000792:Angiography; D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006438:Hemodilution; D018056:Hemorheology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D014463:Ultrasonography