Review of arteriovenous fistula care.
The patient with End Stage Renal Failure is largely dependent upon haemodialysis for survival. Vascular access is the vital lifeline. This paper provides a review of the literature and aims to advocate the advantages of arteriovenous fistulae compared with other vascular access. It will discuss the main causes of thrombosis in arteriovenous fistula failure, measurements of early detection of venous stenosis and the care of an arteriovenous fistula to ensure its patency. The responsibility of the dialysis nurse is also considered.
Yang
R
R
Middlesex Hospital, Dialysis Unit, London, England.
Humphrey
S
S
D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000451:nursing*; D004868:Equipment Failure; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000628:therapy*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000451:nursing; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology; D014654:Vascular Patency