Screening and assessment of dialysis graft function

Abstract

Dialysis graft thrombosis is a major cause of morbidity for patients on chronic hemodialysis. Recent evidence supports the implementation of routine graft surveillance programs to detect early access dysfunction and allow prophylactic repair before complete graft failure occurs. Graft dysfunction may be detected through direct or indirect measurement of changes in graft flow. The principal indicators of graft function include direct physical examination and measurements of blood flow, venous pressure, arterial inflow, and dialysis efficiency. Balloon angioplasty or surgical revision of stenoses detected through periodic graft monitoring reduces the incidence of graft thrombosis and prolongs graft patency. Dialysis graft thrombosis is a major cause of morbidity for patients on chronic hemodialysis. Recent evidence supports the implementation of routine graft surveillance programs to detect early access dysfunction and allow prophylactic repair before complete graft failure occurs. Graft dysfunction may be detected through direct or indirect measurement of changes in graft flow. The principal indicators of graft function include direct physical examination and measurements of blood flow, venous pressure, arterial inflow, and dialysis efficiency. Balloon angioplasty or surgical revision of stenoses detected through periodic graft monitoring reduces the incidence of graft thrombosis and prolongs graft patency.