title: Insufficient arteriovenous fistulae in hemodialysis patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  For an accurate assessment of structural changes in arteriovenous fistulae (AVF) a microscopic analysis is mandatory.
  
  
  METHODS
  25 insufficient AVF were analyzed with the light microscope using standard histological and immunohistochemical techniques.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 7 patients (28%) atherosclerotic lesions as causes of AVF insufficiency were found. The other 18 patients (72%) had an inhomogeneous spectrum of nonatherosclerotic lesions, for instance intimal hyperplasia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Histopathologic analysis of insufficient AVF helps clarify the underlying changes in the structure of the vessel wall.
authors.affiliation: Unilabs Mittelland, Institut fur Pathologie, Bern, Switzerland. jkr.janzen@freenet.de
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Janzen
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mickley
mesh_terms: D000783:Aneurysm / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology