Standardized Methodology for Duplex Ultrasound Examination of Arteriovenous Access for Hemodialysis: A Proposal of the French Society of Vascular Medicine and the French-Speaking Society of Vascular Access.

Duplex ultrasound (DUS) is an essential tool for characterizing and monitoring arteriovenous (AV) access for hemodialysis. The aim of the work described here, requested by the French Society of Vascular Medicine in collaboration with the French-Speaking Vascular Access Society, is to propose a standardized methodology for performing and documenting DUS, taking into account the variety of AV access techniques and the problems routinely encountered. A steering committee reviewed the literature and selected the relevant references.

Creating percutaneous radiocephalic arteriovenous fistulas at the wrist.

Background: The first arteriovenous fistulas were created at the wrist more than 60 years ago. Basic surgical construction techniques remain unchanged with mobilization and repositioning of the vessels followed by a sutured anastomosis. We used the Ellipsys device to construct percutaneous radiocephalic-arteriovenous fistulas at the wrist and report the results.

Midterm results of percutaneous arteriovenous fistula creation with the Ellipsys Vascular Access System, technical recommendations, and an algorithm for maintenance.

Objective: The aim of this study was to report our midterm results of percutaneous arteriovenous fistula (pAVF) creation using the Ellipsys (Avenu Medical, San Juan Capistrano, Calif) device and to present technical recommendations and our algorithm of pAVF maintenance.

Methods: A single-center comprehensive database of all consecutive predialysis and end-stage renal disease patients who had a pAVF creation with the Ellipsys device was reviewed retrospectively. Study end points included technical success, maturation, functional patency, and required interventions.

Feasibility for arteriovenous fistula creation with Ellipsys.

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of percutaneous arteriovenous fistula creation in consecutive patients screened for first access creation.

Methods: Prospective study of ultrasound mapping based on the following minimal anatomic requirements: a patent proximal radial artery and adjacent elbow perforating vein with straight trajectory, each greater than or equal to 2 mm in diameter and within 1.5 mm of each other.

Ultrasound evaluation of percutaneously created arteriovenous fistulae between radial artery and perforating vein at the elbow.

Objective: To investigate the hemodynamics of percutaneous arteriovenous fistulae (pAVF) created between the proximal radial artery and the deep communicating vein of the elbow.

Methods: Consecutive patients with a percutaneously created proximal radial artery to perforating vein arteriovenous fistulae were evaluated and compared with control patients with clinically well-functioning surgical wrist radiocephalic arteriovenous fistulae (sWRC-AVF).

Results: Thirty-one patients with a pAVF (21 males - 68%, mean age: 62 years, range: 53-81), with mean follow-up of 254 days (range: 60-443) and 32 patients with a surgical fistula (20 males - 62%, mean age of 63 years, range: 30-84) were evaluated.

Ultrasound dilution and thermodilution versus color Doppler ultrasound for arteriovenous fistula assessment in children on hemodialysis.

Background: This study is aimed at comparing ultrasound dilution (UD) and thermodilution (TD) with color Doppler ultrasound (CDU) for arteriovenous fistula (AVF) assessment in children on hemodialysis (HD).

Material And Methods: All patients were dialysed with the Fresenius 5008 HD machine. UD was performed using the Transonic device.

Clinical hemodialysis experience with percutaneous arteriovenous fistulas created using the Ellipsys® vascular access system.

Introduction: The aim of this study is to report our clinical hemodialysis experience using a percutaneous arteriovenous fistula (pAVF) created with the Ellipsys® vascular access system. This pAVF device creates a permanent AVF anastomosis between the proximal radial artery (PRA) and the deep communicating vein (DCV) in the proximal forearm.

Methods: The medical records of all patients with a pAVF were retrospectively reviewed.

Arterio-venous fistula for automated red blood cells exchange in patients with sickle cell disease: Complications and outcomes.

Erythrocytapheresis (ER) can improve outcome in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). A good vascular access is required but frequently it can be difficult to obtain for sickle cell patients. Arterio-venous fistulas (AVFs) have been suggested for ER in SCD supported by limited evidence.

Videogames and Therapy: A Narrative Review of Recent Publication and Application to Treatment.

Individuals who play videogames can interact with virtual worlds, resulting in emotional and intellectual connections that have therapeutic implications in the hands of a skilled and informed therapist. There is research available in the literature that suggests that videogames are a viable option in psychotherapy. The present article provides a review of the literature available in the use of videogames in treatment, discusses the importance of disseminating the findings in the literature, and discusses the integration of videogames in treatment.

Long-term results of femoral vein transposition for autogenous arteriovenous hemodialysis access.

Introduction: When all access options in the upper limbs have been exhausted, an autogenous access in lower limb is a valuable alternative to arteriovenous grafts. We report our experience of transposition of the femoral vein (tFV).

Methods: From June 1984 to June 2011, 70 patients underwent 72 tFV in two centers (Paris and Meknès) with the same technique.

Placement of wrist ulnar-basilic autogenous arteriovenous access for hemodialysis in adults and children using microsurgery.

Objectives: The distal basilic forearm vein is frequently preserved and might be used more frequently for placement of an ulnar-basilic autogenous arteriovenous access (UB-AAVA) in the wrist despite the small size of the two vessels. The scarcity of publications led us to initiate a prospective study regarding the placement and outcomes of UB-AAVAs.

Methods: Seventy patients (63 adults, seven children) with no usable cephalic vein in either forearm were selected consecutively over 4 years for placement of a UB-AAVA.

Lipectomy as a new approach to secondary procedure superficialization of direct autogenous forearm radial-cephalic arteriovenous accesses for hemodialysis.

Background: The depth of veins can discourage surgeons from creating radial-cephalic arteriovenous accesses for hemodialysis in obese patients. Elevation and tunneled transposition are the two techniques that have been described to superficialize these veins and make them accessible for cannulation. Unfortunately, such manipulation of veins has potential drawbacks.

Low-flow maturation failure of distal accesses: Treatment by angioplasty of forearm arteries.

Background: Forearm artery lesions are a frequent cause of distal fistula maturation failure. Surgical treatment is difficult because of highly calcified arteries. To redo the arteriovenous anastomosis higher up the forearm is technically difficult and often ineffective because arteries cannot be enlarged.

Transposition of radial artery for reduction of excessive high-flow in autogenous arm accesses for hemodialysis.

Objective: All surgical methods published to date for the reduction of excessive high-flow in native elbow fistulas for dialysis have limitations. We report a new surgical approach to flow reduction by transposition of the radial artery to the elbow level.

Methods: From 1992 to 2008, 47 consecutive patients (22 women) with brachial artery to elbow vein autogenous fistula underwent flow reduction via replacement of brachial artery by transposed distal radial artery inflow.