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Conclusions:
- Accurate and early identification of prosthetic graft venous outflow stenosis in grafts at risk permits early
angiography and intervention of the graft and associated vessels.
- Early intervention of stenosis by surgical revision, angioplasty or stenting prior to graft failure (thrombosis) can
assure adequate dialysis and extend the life of the graft. This leads to a reduction in overall costs and improves the
patientıs quality of life.
- It is our impression that a period of time exists in which patients have significant graft stenosis and receive
inadequate dialysis, but which has been previously clinically undetectable. This may account for excess morbidity and
mortality in the dialysis population.
- We have developed an instrument and technique which allow the nephrologist to detect blood vessel narrowing prior to
or after a regular dialysis session with the patient at the dialysis station in time to correct the stenosis on an
outpatient, electively scheduled basis.
- Velocimetry measurements are:
- Obtained in 5 to 10 minutes
- Operator independent
- Reproducible
- This technique allows for documentation of the natural history of graft stenosis, allowing each graft to be
monitored for evidence of stenosis and its progression to a critical severity.
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