Is fetuin-A a biomarker of dialysis access dysfunction?

Background: The arteriovenous (AV) access function of hemodialysis (HD) patients can be impaired by afferent artery stiffness due to preexisting microcalcification and by venous stenosis secondary to neointimal hyperplasia in whose development participates an upregulated local inflammatory process. Fetuin-A is a circulating potent inhibitor of vascular calcification and plays an important anti-inflammatory role. The aims of this prospective study were to investigate the relationship between baseline serum fetuin-A levels and: blood flow (Q) values at baseline, AV access failure (thrombosis or intervention for stenosis) during follow-up and primary unassisted AV access patency.

The impact of pre-existing radial artery pathology by histological assessment on the maturation, function and patency of the radiocephalic fistula for hemodialysis.

Background: We prospectively analyzed the effect of preexisting structural changes of the radial artery (RA) wall by histological examination on the wrist radiocephalic fistula (RCF) outcomes.

Methods: During RCF creation, one segment of the RA wall was collected and its histomorphometric analysis was performed. The RCF function was evaluated by measuring blood flow rate.

Study of arteriovenous fistula function by the temperature gradient method using the Twister™ device.

Introduction: Periodic blood flow (QA) measurement is the preferred way for arteriovenous fistula (AVF) surveillance in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients. Objectives. 1) Assess the efficacy of the temperature gradient method (TGM) on the QA determinations using the Twister™ device and to compare the functional results with the Delta-H method.

Five years of vascular access stenosis surveillance by blood flow rate measurements during hemodialysis using the Delta-H method.

Purpose: To report experience over five years of vascular access (VA) stenosis surveillance.

Methods: We prospectively monitored the blood flow rate (QA) of 145 VA in 131 ESRD (age 62.6 ±13.

[Functional profile of cephalic arch stenosis].

Cephalic arch stenosis (CAS) is a unique type of vascular access stenosis. For example, the etiology of CAS is under investigation and the prevalence of CAS can be lower in diabetic patients. Three cases of CAS were identified during our vascular access stenosis surveillance program by blood flow rate measurements using the Delta-H method.

[Prevalence and functional effect of arteriovenous fistula calcifications, evaluated by spiral CT in chronic haemodialysis patients].

Introduction: Vascular calcification is a common finding in patients (pts) with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Objective: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the prevalence and functional effect of native arteriovenous fistula AVF (feeding artery and/or arterialized vein) calcifications evaluated by spiral computed tomography (CT) in ESRD pts undergoing chronic hemodialysis (HD).

Patients And Method: Forty-five upper limb AVF (radial 44.

[Measurement of vascular access blood flow rate during hemodyalisis in 38 patients using the thermodilution technique. A comparative study with the Delta-H method].

Introduction: Periodic QA measurement is the preferred way for VA surveillance in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients (pts).

Objective: The aims of this study were to measure QA by TDT and to compare the functional results with Delta-H method.

Patients And Methods: We measured Q(A) non invasively in 38 VA (mean VA duration: 48.

[Noninvasive assessment of forearm vessels by color Doppler ultrasonography (CDU) before and after radiocephalic fistula (RCF) placement].

Introduction: The CDU is a noninvasive vascular access (VA) monitoring technique that provides both structural and hemodynamic information from vessels.

Objective: The aim of this prospective study was to analyze some parameters of forearm vessels by CDU before and after RCF creation at the wrist.

Patients And Methods: We explored by CDU the vessels of forearm in 34 CRF patients (pts) (mean age 63.

[Tesio twin catheter system for hemodialysis tunnelized using an echo-guided technique. Retrospective analysis of 210 catheters].

Purpose: Review a large experience in the placement of tunnelled catheters to assess the outcomes with twin catheter system as hemodialysis access.

Material And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed clinical and hemodialysis data regarding of ESRD patients who were referred from 2 dialysis facilities for placement of tunnelled catheters hemodialysis access between 1996 March and 2005 July. For catheter insertion a real-time sonography technique was used (Site Rite II Dymax corporation) in performing vascular access procedure.

[Prevalence and functional profile of unsuspected radial artery stenosis in native radiocephalic fistula dysfunction. Diagnosis by vascular access flow monitoring using Delta-H method].

Objective: The aim of this study was to know the prevalence and functional profile of RA stenosis in RCF dysfunction detected as a result of our surveillance programme.

Patients And Methods: We prospectively monitored QA of 116 VA (arteriovenous fistula 81% or graft 19%; mean VA duration 28.2 +/- 52.

Functional vascular access evaluation after elective intervention for stenosis.

Purpose: To evaluate the functional effects of preventive vascular access (VA) intervention through periodic blood flow (Q A ) measurements during hemodialysis (HD) by the delta-H method.

Methods: We prospectively monitored the blood flow rate (Q A ) of 100 VA (arteriovenous fistula (AVF) 81% or AV graft (AVG) 19%; mean VA duration 24.6 +/- 42.

[Study of vascular access (VA) by color Doppler ultrasonography (CDU). Comparison between delta-H and CDU methods in measuring VA blood flow rate].

Introduction: The color Doppler ultrasonography (CDU) is a noninvasive vascular access (VA) monitoring technique that provides both structural and hemodynamic information from VA. On the other hand, the delta-H (AH) method is another noninvasive technique that measures the VA blood flow rate during hemodialysis (HD).

Objective: 1) To analyze some anatomic and functional parameters of VA by CDU.

[Vascular access surveillance with blood flow monitoring: a prospective study with 65 patients].

Background: Periodic intra-access blood flow rate (QA) monitoring is the preferred method for vascular access (VA) surveillance (NKF-K/DOQI, update 2000).

Objectives: 1) To determine the ultrafiltration (UF) method accuracy for early detection of VA stenosis. 2) To evaluate the hemodynamic effect of elective VA intervention (angioplasty or surgery).

[Non-invasive monitoring of a humeral arteriovenous fistula with hemodynamic repercussions].

A 70-year-old woman, who undergoing hemodialysis due to chronic pyelonephritis, is reported. She suffered from dyspnea due to pulmonary artery hypertension secondary to volume overload as a complication of high-flow brachial AVF. The combined estimation of vascular access blood flow rate (QA) and systolic pulmonary artery pressure by noninvasive methods (ultrafiltration and Doppler echocardiography, respectively) allowed us the diagnosis, make a surgical indication and post-surgical follow-up of AVF with hemodynamic repercussion.