Summary:
Background. Vascular access complications represent leading morbidity of hemodialyzed patients. Duplex Doppler
ultrasonography is used rarely in the diagnosis of vascular access complications, despite its simplicity andwidespread
availability. Our first experience with this method is described, namely the most frequent indications, findings and
the access blood flow correlation.
Methods and Results. 356 examinations of both natural and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) accesses at 193 patients
were performed. The 7.5 MHz linear array ultrasound transducer of Hewlett-Packard SONOS 2000 device was used.
Both arterial and venous parts of fistulas were examined in all cases. Screening examinations represented the most
frequent indication, the hemodynamically significant stenosis themost frequent finding. Only 12.5%of PTFE-shunts
and 25.8 % of natural fistulas were described as normal.Mean blood flow through antebrachial and brachial accesses
was 575 and 1070 ml/min, respectively.
Conclusions. Prevalence of vascular access complications (especially that of stenoses) is high. Wider use of this
method could bring significantly improved care for the dialysed patients.
Key words:
vascular access, hemodialysis, ultrasonography, stenosis.
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