OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound or fluoroscopic-guided percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) combined with thrombolysis for the treatment of acutely thrombosed arteriovenous fistula (AVF) or grafts (AVG). METHODS: One hundred and ninety-two hemodialysed patients, in whom the thrombosed arterio-venous AVF or AVG developed less than 72 h and there were no contraindications for thrombolysis and PTA, underwent PTA combined with thrombolysis therapy in Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital of Zhejiang University from October 2014 to October 2017. Under ultrasound and/or fluoroscopic guidance, balloon catheter was introduced to thrombosis sites along a guide wire. Then the balloon was inflated and normal saline mixed with urokinase and heparin was injected for thrombolysis. After blood flow was restored, angioplasty was performed on vascular stenosed sites. RESULTS: A total of 274 endovascular interventional operations were performed for 192 patients. The procedure success rate was 98.2%, clinical success rate was 93.8%and complication rate was 1.46%. The post-intervention primary patency rates for AVF group were 87.4%, 76.7%and 63.9%at 3, 6 and 12 months, respectively; while the post-intervention secondary patency rates were 93.7%, 91.6%and 83.0%, respectively. The post-intervention primary patency rates for AVG group were 60.7%, 51.5%and 43.1%at 3, 6 and 12 months, while the post-intervention secondary patency rates were 82.7%, 77.1%and 70.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS PTA combined with thrombolysis is an effective and safe therapeutic option for AVF and AVG thrombosis, which would prolong hemodialysis access and save vascular resources for hemodialyzed patients.
Angioplasty ; Arteriovenous Fistula ; Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical ; Humans ; Renal Dialysis ; Retrospective Studies ; Thrombolytic Therapy ; Thrombosis ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: We report short-term patency outcomes of a proof of concept study conducted to determine the efficacy of drug-eluting stent (DES) for the treatment of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) stenosis in hemodialysis patients.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a single-center, retrospective observational study involving 10 patients with AVF dysfunction treated with DESs between January 2017 and December 2017. The primary outcome was AVF patency confirmed by sonographic and clinical assessment at 1 month and 6 to 9 months after treatment.RESULTS: A total of 12 DESs were deployed in 10 patients with dysfunctional AVF (radiocephalic: 7, brachiocephalic: 3). During the early follow up (mean: 28.6 days), primary access circuit and DES patency was 100%, with an average volume flow rate of 886.4 mL/min. Nine patients were available for short-term follow up (mean: 202.4 days; 1 unrelated death), with a mean volume flow rate of 1,048.9 mL/min. The primary DES patency was 7/9 (77.8%), and 3 patients required angioplasty at other parts of the circuit (primary access circuit patency: 4/9 [44.4%]). The assisted primary access circuit patency was 77.8%. In 2 patients, the ultrasound revealed that the DESs were thrombosed without any antecedent stenosis; they were salvaged with angioplasty. Both patients previously underwent 2 DESs implanted and recently stopped dual antiplatelet therapy. B-mode sonographic assessment at all timepoints showed minimal intimal ingrowth on the stent struts.CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates acceptable short-term patency for DESs in the treatment of AVF stenosis. Dual antiplatelet therapy is probably mandatory in the short term.
Angioplasty ; Arteriovenous Fistula ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Drug-Eluting Stents ; Fistula ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Observational Study ; Paclitaxel ; Pilot Projects ; Renal Dialysis ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND: For hemodialysis patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), it is important to construct an efficient vascular access with a superior patency rate. This study investigated the factors influencing the efficiency of arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) constructed using an autologous vessel and evaluated the necessity of ultrasonography as a preoperative tool for AVF construction. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of 250 patients in whom an AVF was constructed using an autologous vessel due to ESRD at our institution from January 2009 to April 2016. RESULTS: The 1-, 3-, and 5-year patency rates for all subjects were 87.6%, 85.6%, and 84.4%, respectively. The patients who underwent a preoperative evaluation of their vessels via ultrasonography had better patency rates than those who did not. Superior patency rates were found in patients under 65 years of age or with an anastomotic vein diameter of 3 mm or more. The 1-year patency rate and the diameter of the anastomotic vein showed a positive relationship. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography is strongly recommended for AVF construction, and efforts should be made to increase the patency rate in patients over 65. Superior clinical results can be expected when an AVF is made using an autologous vessel with an anastomotic vein diameter of at least 3 mm.
Arteriovenous Fistula* ; Fistula ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic* ; Renal Dialysis* ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography ; Veins

The transfemoral arterial approach is used to gain access for angiography, percutaneous coronary interventions, or various endovascular therapies. To decrease the risk of procedure-related vascular complications, it is recommended to puncture the common femoral artery in its middle segment. However, due to inadequate access or anatomical variability, various complications, including hematoma, pseudoaneurysm, arteriovenous fistula, thrombosis, or dissection, can occur after transfemoral arterial interventions. Duplex ultrasound has proven to be an excellent noninvasive modality that provides not only anatomic but also hemodynamic information, effectively detecting and differentiating various femoral puncture-related complications. Radiologists should be familiar with the characteristic sonographic findings of the entire spectrum of transfemoral puncture-related vascular complications for early detection and proper treatment.
Aneurysm, False ; Angiography ; Arteriovenous Fistula ; Femoral Artery ; Hematoma ; Hemodynamics ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Punctures ; Thrombosis ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: A native vessel is preferable to an artificial graft for dialysis access. Duplex ultrasound (DUS) is noninvasive, cost-effective modality to evaluate the vessels for dialysis. The purpose of this study was to compare the rates of utilization of native vessels after preoperative imaging with DUS and contrast venography (CV). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on patients who received an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) or arteriovenous graft (AVG) between June 2006 and July 2010. Patients were classified into 3 groups. In group 1, CV was used to evaluate the vessel. Both DUS and CV were used in group 2. In group 3, only DUS was used. The frequency of utilization of a native vessel was analyzed in each group. The chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: During the study period, 173 patients received an AVF or AVG. Eighty-nine patients were male. The mean age was 60.6±14.6 years. A native vessel was used in 56/81 patients (69.1%) and 74/81 patients (91.4%) in groups 1 and 3, respectively (P<0.001). In group 2, all patients underwent access procedures using native vessels. AVG was initially planned for 2 patients in group 2 after vessel evaluation using CV, but a native vessel was successfully used because DUS identified optimal vessels for AVF. The 1-year primary patency rate was similar in 3 groups. CONCLUSION: Preoperative DUS is safe and easy to use for vessel evaluation, and can be used as a primary imaging modality for creation of access.
Arteriovenous Fistula ; Dialysis ; Humans ; Male ; Phlebography ; Renal Dialysis* ; Retrospective Studies ; Transplants ; Ultrasonography*

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the possible predictors of primary arteriovenous fistula (AVF) failure and examine the impact of a preoperative evaluation on AVF outcomes. METHODS: A total of 539 patients who underwent assessment for a suitable site for AVF creation by physical examination alone or additional duplex ultrasound were included in this study. Demographics, patient characteristics, and AVF outcomes were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: AVF creation was proposed in 469 patients (87.0%) according to physical examination alone (351 patients) or additional duplex ultrasound (118 patients); a prosthetic arteriovenous graft was initially placed in the remaining 70 patients (13.0%). Although the primary failure rate was significantly higher in patients assessed by duplex ultrasound (P = 0.001), ultrasound information changed the clinical plan, increasing AVF use for dialysis, in 92 of the 188 patients (48.9%) with an insufficient physical examination. Female sex and diabetes mellitus were risk factors significantly associated with primary AVF failure. Because of different inclusion criteria and a lack of adjustment for baseline differences, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed better AVF outcomes in patients assessed by physical examination alone; an insufficient physical examination was the only risk factor significantly associated with AVF outcomes. CONCLUSION: Routine use of duplex ultrasound is not necessary in chronic kidney disease patients with a satisfactory physical examination. Given that female gender and diabetes mellitus are significantly associated with primary AVF failure, duplex ultrasound could be of particular benefit in these subtypes of patients without a sufficient physical examination.
Arteriovenous Fistula* ; Demography ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Dialysis ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Physical Examination ; Renal Dialysis ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Transplants ; Treatment Outcome ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND: Maintenance of a well-functioning vascular access and minimal needling pain are important goals for achieving adequate dialysis and improving the quality of life in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Far-infrared (FIR) therapy may improve endothelial function and increase access blood flow (Qa) and patency in HD patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of FIR therapy on Qa and patency, and needling pain in HD patients. METHODS: This prospective clinical trial enrolled 25 outpatients who maintained HD with arteriovenous fistula. The other 25 patients were matched as control with age, sex, and diabetes. FIR therapy was administered for 40 minutes during HD 3 times/wk and continued for 12 months. The Qa was measured by the ultrasound dilution method, whereas pain was measured by a numeric rating scale at baseline, then once per month. RESULTS: One patient was transferred to another facility, and 7 patients stopped FIR therapy because of an increased body temperature and discomfort. FIR therapy improved the needling pain score from 4 to 2 after 1 year. FIR therapy increased the Qa by 3 months and maintained this change until 1 year, whereas control patients showed the decrease in Qa. The 1-year unassisted patency with FIR therapy was not significantly different from control. CONCLUSION: FIR therapy improved needling pain. Although FIR therapy improved Qa, the unassisted patency was not different compared with the control. A larger and multicenter study is needed to evaluate the effect of FIR therapy.
Arteriovenous Fistula ; Body Temperature ; Dialysis ; Humans ; Outpatients ; Prospective Studies ; Quality of Life ; Renal Dialysis* ; Ultrasonography

Arteriovenous graft for hemodialysis vascular access is a widely used technique with many advantages. However, it has crucial complications with graft thrombosis and infection. We recently experienced an unusual case of arteriovenous graft complication involving graft thrombosis related to fistula formation between the graft and the natural vein with infection. We diagnosed this condition using Doppler ultrasound and computed tomography angiography. Successful surgical treatment including partial graft excision and creation of a secondary arteriovenous fistula using an inadvertently dilated cephalic vein was performed. The dialysis unit staff should keep this condition in mind and try to prevent this complication.
Angiography ; Arteriovenous Fistula ; Dialysis ; Fistula* ; Renal Dialysis ; Thrombosis* ; Transplants* ; Ultrasonography ; Veins*

The use of ultrasonography and especially of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in the diagnosis of vascular pathologies before and after interventions has significantly increased over the past years due to the broader availability of modern ultrasound systems with CEUS capabilities and more trained user experience in this imaging modality. For the preinterventional and postinterventional work-up of carotid diseases, duplex ultrasound as well as CEUS have been established as the standard-of-care examination procedures for diagnosis, evaluation, and follow-up. In addition to its use for carotid arterial diseases, ultrasonography has also become the primary modality for the screening of vascular pathologies. This review describes the most common pathologies found in ultrasonography of the carotid arteries, the abdominal aorta, and the femoral arteries.
Aorta, Abdominal ; Arteriovenous Fistula ; Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Artery Diseases ; Carotid Stenosis ; Contrast Media ; Diagnosis ; Femoral Artery ; Follow-Up Studies ; Mass Screening ; Pathology ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; Ultrasonography*

Pseudoaneurysm with arteriovenous fistula is a rare complication of arthroscopy, and can be diagnosed by ultrasonography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or angiography. This condition can be treated with open surgical repair or endovascular repair. We report our experience with the open surgical repair of a pseudoaneurysm with an arteriovenous fistula in a young male patient who underwent arthroscopy five months previously.
Aneurysm, False* ; Angiography ; Arteries ; Arteriovenous Fistula* ; Arthroscopy* ; Humans ; Knee ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Ultrasonography