AIUM practice guideline for the performance of ultrasound vascular mapping for preoperative planning of dialysis access

Factors affecting suboptimal maturation of autogenous arteriovenous fistula in elderly patients with diabetes:A narrative review

Autogenous arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is considered the preferred vascular access choice for individuals undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) and is widely utilized in China, as reported by the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study. Despite its popularity, the significant incidence of poor AVF maturation often leads to the need for central venous catheter insertion, increasing the risk of complications like superior vena cava stenosis and catheter-related infections, which in turn raises the overall mortality risk. With the prevalence of diabetes rising globally among the elderly and diabetic kidney disease being a leading cause of end-stage renal disease necessitating renal replacement therapy, our retrospective review aims to explore the various factors affecting AVF maturation in this specific patient population. While there have been numerous studies examining AVF complications in MHD patients, including issues like failure, patency loss, stenosis, thrombosis, poor maturation, and other influencing factors, there remains a gap in large-scale clinical studies focusing on the incidence and risk factors for immature AVF specifically in elderly diabetic patients. This paper delves into the pathophysiological mechanisms, diagnostic criteria, and unique considerations surrounding AVF maturation in elderly diabetic patients, distinguishing them from the general population. Our literature review reveals that elderly diabetic patients exhibit a higher risk of AVF immaturity compared to the general population. Additionally, there exists a continuing discourse regarding several aspects related to this group, including the choice of dialysis access, timing of AVF surgery, and surgical site selection. Furthermore, we delve into the management strategies for vascular access within this specific group with the goal of providing evidence-based guidance for the establishment and maintenance of functional vascular access in elderly diabetic patients.

The Role of Ultrasound Examination in the Assessment of Suitability of Calcified Arteries for Vascular Access Creation-Mini Review

Arterial calcifications are present in 20-40% of patients with end-stage kidney disease and are more frequent among the elderly and diabetics. They reduce the possibility of arterio-venous fistula (AVF) formation and maturation and increase the likelihood of complications, especially distal ischemia. This review focuses on methods for detecting arterial calcifications and assessing the suitability of calcified arteries for providing inflow before the construction of an AVF. The importance of a clinical examination is stressed. A grading system is proposed for quantifying the severity of calcifications in the arteries of the arm with B-mode and Doppler ultrasound exams. Functional tests to assess the suitability of the artery to provide adequate inflow to the AVF are discussed, including Doppler indices (peak systolic velocity and resistive index during reactive hyperemia). Possible predictors of the development of distal ischemia are discussed (finger pressure, digital brachial index, acceleration and acceleration time), as well as the outcomes of AVFs placed on calcified arteries. It is concluded that a noninvasive ultrasound examination is probably the best tool for a morphologic and functional assessment of the arteries. An arterial assessment is of utmost importance if we are to create distal radiocephalic AVFs in our elderly patients whenever possible without burdening them with futile surgical attempts.

Upper Extremity Medial Arterial Calcification and Peripheral Artery Disease in Asymptomatic Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease in Predialysis Stage

Two types of peripheral artery disease (PAD) in asymptomatic patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) can be detected by the use of duplex Doppler: medial arterial calcification (MAC) and occlusive PAD. The aim of this pilot study is to evaluate different types of subclinical PAD in upper extremities of patients with CKD. The prevalence of upper extremity MAC and occlusive PAD was investigated in 41 asymptomatic patients with CKD and 18 controls with normal kidney function, using duplex Doppler ultrasound, according to the vascular laboratory protocol. A mild-to-severe MAC was significantly more prevalent in patients with CKD compared to the control group ( P = .015), mostly in radial arteries (RAs; P = .002 and P = .016, respectively). The prevalence of occlusive PAD was not significantly different between the 2 groups ( P = .381). Patients in the CKD group were younger, nonsmokers, and more often had hypertension ( P = .038, P = .038, and P = .034, respectively). A duplex ultrasound screening for upper extremity subclinical PAD in patients with CKD in a predialysis stage may identify patients with mild-to-severe MAC which is important in surgery of hemodialysis access.

Sonographic Evaluation of an Immature Brescia-Cimino Fistula

Arteriovenous fistulas are known to be traumatic, congenital, or created for hemodialysis purposes in patients diagnosed with end-stage renal disease. In this case study of an immature Brescia-Cimino fistula, an outflow vein stenosis was assessed solely using sonography. This type of stenosis has been found to be the most common cause of fistula failure. This case study demonstrates how the use of sonography identified an immature arteriovenous fistula as well as assisted in further treatment planning and outcomes.

Ultrasound-guided vascular cannulation in critical care patients: A practical review

Vascular cannulation is common practice in critical care, and is traditionally performed using the landmark technique - though failures and complications are not uncommon. In this regard, ultrasound guided vascular cannulation (USGVC) has been shown to improve the procedure success rate and reduce its associated complications. This review addresses the fundamental aspects of USGVC and discusses some training issues related to this technique which is currently regarded as essential for intensivists.

G. Value of preoperative sonographic vascular evaluation of haemodialysis access in upperlimb

OBJECTIVE

To know the value of preoperative Dopplerultrasonography vascular mapping of upper limb for hemodialysis access placement.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Prospective ultrasonographic assess- ment of upper extremity vessels was performed in 60 patients prior to hemodialysis access placement and potential access sites were selected (based on the standard criteria). The findings were correlated with the operative findings. Discrepancies found between ultrasonographic and operative findings were analysed.

RESULTS

All the 60 patients who underwent vascular mapping had vascular access placed. 80% of them had native arteriovenous fistulae (AVF) placed. In 95% of patients, at the selected sites, the vascular parameters as determined by ultrasonography matched with the operative findings. In 5% of patients there were discrepancies between the ultrasonography findings and operative findings. There was no negative surgical exploration. There was strong correlation between the diameters measured by ultrasonography and surgery.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative ultrasonography vascular mapping prior to hemodialysis access placement has facilitated definite selection of potential sites in difficult patient population in whom evaluation by physical examination was inconclusive. It also helped in maximizing the native AVFs and decreasing the negative surgical exploration rates.