title: Pre-operative ultrasonography and arteriovenous fistulae maturation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Arteriovenous fistulae (AVF) are preferred for haemodialysis access, but maturation is unpredictable.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Clinical examination alone is unreliable for AVF planning. Duplex ultrasonography may provide useful anatomical and physiological data to allow more accurate prediction of likely AVF success.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Selective use of duplex ultrasonography appears to enhance AVF success rates, but there are insufficient data to recommend routine duplex screening of AVF candidates. Agreed vessel criteria are needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, Graduate Entry Medical School, University of Limerick, Limerick - Ireland.
authors.forename: Khalid
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bashar
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clarke-Moloney
authors.forename: Stewart R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Walsh
mesh_terms: D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex