OBJECTIVETo evaluate the monitoring of ultrasonography in artificial vascular graft for arteriovenous fistula and its complications in patients with chronic renal failure.

METHODSEighteen cases of artificial vascular graft arteriovenous fistula after four to six weeks were enrolled. The diameter, the peak velocity and blood flow were examined in arterial fistula. And the artificial vascular diameter, the peak velocity and blood flow of artificial vessels next to artery were all examined and analyzed. And the patients with symptoms in the upper extremity were tested by ultrasound.

RESULTSIntravascular blood showed good filling in fistula and artificial blood vessels in four to six weeks after artificial vascular graft for arteriovenous fistula by color doppler ultrasonography. The arterial fistula diameter, the peak velocity and blood flow were (3.61 +/- 0.68) mm and (298.56 +/- 93.42) cm/s and (583.62 +/- 216.77) ml/min. Artificial vascular diameter in (4.47 +/- 0.61) mm, the peak velocity and blood flow were (219.37 +/- 68.42) cm/s and (325.23 +/- 117.12) ml/min in the artificial blood vessels next to artery. Seven patients with upper extremity discomfort were examined by ultrasonography. One case was serum swollen. Three cases were thrombosis in artificial vessels. One case was pseudoaneurysm. Two cases were edema.

CONCLUSIONSUltrasonography plays a significant clinic role in testing artificial vascular graft for arteriovenous fistula and its complications.