Haemodialysis arteriovenous fistula

An acquired arm arteriovenous fistula (AVF) creation is a procedure performed for haemodialysis access in those with end stage renal failure. It connects and artery to a vein in the vein. This can either be a native connection or a connection using a PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) graft.

There are several types depending on the type of connection:

Radiographic assessment

Preoperative assessment
Ultrasound

Upper arm mapping

A tourniquet is placed near the axilla, and the cephalic, basilic and brachial veins from the antecubital area to the cranial aspect of the upper arm are examined. Veins of acceptable diameter are followed into the subclavian vein to assess for stenosis or occlusion by using direct non-compressive assessment and compression techniques.

Assessment of draining veins

All draining veins are assessed for stenosis/thrombosis throughout their course with visual inspection and compression.

  • indirect central venous assessment
    • subclavian and jugular venous Doppler waveforms are analyzed for indirect evidence of central venous abnormality.
    • indirect evidence of stenosis or occlusion in the nonvisualised brachiocephalic vein and/or superior vena cava include
      • diminished respiratory phasicity
      • diminished transmitted cardiac pulsatility in the subclavian and jugular veins
Venography

Content pending.

Postoperative assessment
Ultrasound

Ultrasound is mainly used to assess for patency and complication.

Venography

Content pending.

Complications

  • non-maturity
    • outflow stenosis: some publications suggest a flow velocity of 400 cm/s or greater is indicative of a stenosis
  • thrombosis/occlusion
  • hematoma
  • pseudoaneurysm formation
  • aneurysm formation
  • perigraft fluid

See also