Abstract

Current DOQI guidelines encourage creating arteriovenous fistulas in more number of hemodialysis patients. However, many new fistulas fail to mature enough for use in hemodialysis. Preoperative vascular mapping to select suitable vessels may improve vascular access outcomes. Thus our study aims to evaluate role of preoperative vascular mapping in fistula maturation.
Results: Among 54 radiocephalic fistulas, mean preoperative radial artery diameter and cephalic vein diameter at wrist was 2.24 + 0.53 mm and 2.05 + 0.58 mm respectively in successful group. The mean radial artery PSV was 47.57 + 7.67 cm/sec in successful group with p value<0.001. Thrombosis was the most common complication seen in about 18.5%. Overall maturity rate of 77.8% was recorded at 4 weeks with primary failure rate of 22.2%.
Conclusion: Duplex ultrasound reliably evaluates both structural and functional aspects of the peripheral vessels and helps in preoperative vascular mapping .Hence, preoperative ultrasound should be used to improve AVF outcome