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Sonography of Arteriovenous Fistulas and Grafts
Author(s) -
Pietryga Jason A.,
Little Mark D.,
Robbin Michelle L.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
seminars in dialysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1525-139X
pISSN - 0894-0959
DOI - 10.1111/sdi.12599
Subject(s) - medicine , ultrasound , asymptomatic , thrombosis , stenosis , radiology , arteriovenous fistula , hemodialysis , surgery
Arteriovenous fistulas ( AVF s) and arteriovenous grafts ( AVG s) are the vascular accesses of choice for long‐term hemodialysis. Strategies to establish and maintain functioning AVF s and AVG s are essential. In addition to clinical evaluation, ultrasound plays a critical role in the evaluation and maintenance of AVF s and AVG s. AVF s have a high rate of failure to mature which can be reliably diagnosed with ultrasound. Treatable etiologies of the failure to mature can often be diagnosed with ultrasound. Causes of secondary AVG failure can also be diagnosed with ultrasound and treated. AVG s have a relatively short functional life expectancy due to a high rate of AVG thrombosis. Ultrasound is a safe, noninvasive way to diagnose vascular stenosis in both AVF s and AVG s prior to thrombosis, potentially saving the access. Routine surveillance ultrasound of asymptomatic AVF s and AVG s is controversial with conflicting studies on its benefit. Routine surveillance ultrasound of AVF s and AVG s is not common practice.