title: Evaluation of three peripheral arteriovenous fistulas for hemodialysis access in dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To design and create 3 types of arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) in normal dogs, to monitor the dogs for secondary cardiovascular complications, and to verify adequacy of these fistulas for hemodialysis vascular access.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four normal adult dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cadaveric dissections were performed, and surgical protocols were generated for carotid-jugular (CJ), brachial-cephalic (BC), and distal caudal femoral-lateral saphenous anastomosis (DCFLS) AVF. Each surgical procedure was then performed in 2 live dogs. Echocardiography was performed at days 0, 1, 3, 7, 14, 28, and 56 to evaluate the dogs for evidence of volume overload secondary to AVF formation. Estimation of luminal diameter and confirmation of fistula patency were performed using percutaneous color Doppler ultrasound. At day 56, hemodialysis was performed using each fistula as a vascular access.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant changes occurred in the echocardiographic variables over time. All fistulas were patent at day 56 with mean luminal diameters of 4.5 mm (CJ), 4 mm (BC), and 1.5 mm (DCFLS). The BC fistula was superior for ease of needle placement and stabilization and provided adequate blood flow for clinical hemodialysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on this short-term study, arteriovenous fistulas appear to be a safe and effective means for hemodialysis access in dogs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The arteriovenous fistulas described provide an alternative to the central venous catheters currently used for chronic hemodialysis access in dogs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Adin
authors.forename: Clare R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Gregory
authors.forename: Darcy B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Adin
authors.forename: Larry D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Cowgill
authors.forename: Andrew E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Kyles
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000601:surgery; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000601:surgery; D004285:Dogs / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000601:surgery; D007601:Jugular Veins / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000662:veterinary*; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000601:surgery