Doppler ultrasound surveillance of recently formed haemodialysis arteriovenous fistula: the SONAR observational cohort study.

Background: Arteriovenous fistulas are considered the best option for haemodialysis provision, but as many as 30% fail to mature or suffer early failure.

Objective: To assess the feasibility of performing a randomised controlled trial that examines whether, by informing early and effective salvage intervention of fistulas that would otherwise fail, Doppler ultrasound surveillance of developing arteriovenous fistulas improves longer-term arteriovenous fistula patency.

Design: A prospective multicentre observational cohort study (the 'SONAR' study).

Early Ultrasound Surveillance of Newly-Created Hemodialysis Arteriovenous Fistula.

Introduction: We assess if ultrasound surveillance of newly-created arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) can predict nonmaturation sufficiently reliably to justify randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluation of ultrasound-directed salvage intervention.

Methods: Consenting adults underwent blinded fortnightly ultrasound scanning of their AVF after creation, with scan characteristics that predicted AVF nonmaturation identified by logistic regression modeling.

Results: Of 333 AVFs created, 65.

Surveillance arterioveNous fistulAs using ultRasound (SONAR) trial in haemodialysis patients: a study protocol for a multicentre observational study.

Introduction: Arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are considered the best and safest modality for providing haemodialysis in patients with end-stage renal disease. Only 20% of UK centres achieve the recommended 80% target for achieving dialysis of the prevalent dialysis population via permanent access (as opposed to a central venous catheter). This is partly due to the relatively poor maturation rate of newly created fistulas, with as many as 50% of fistulas failing to mature.

Tattoo of vascular cannulation site as a self-cannulation aid.

Background: Haemodialysis can be provided either in a healthcare setting or home environment. Patients receiving dialysis at home report a better quality of life. Patients or their carers must be able to cannulate their fistula confidently and independently when dialysing at home.

Ankle fistula as the last resort for vascular access: case report and literature review.

Purpose: For the majority of patients with end-stage renal failure, renal replacement therapy in the form of dialysis offers the only means of life prolongation. Survival times on haemodialysis have improved, and consequently, patent vascular access is required for an increasing period of time. Upper extremity options for arteriovenous placement are increasingly being exhausted, leading to creation of fistulae in the lower extremities.

Outcomes after ulnar-basilic arteriovenous fistula formation.

Background: The ulnar-basilic arteriovenous fistula (UBAVF) is rarely used owing to perceived problems with poor patency and prolonged maturation times. We report outcomes after UBAVF formation.

Methods: Patients who had a forearm UBAVF formed between October 1, 2002 and September 31, 2010 were identified from a prospectively maintained database.