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.