Intra-Arterial Digital Subtraction Angiography (aDSA) for Evaluation of AV-Fistulas in Hemodialysis Patients

Despite all progress achieved in technique of dialysis, vascular access remains the most vulnerable point of chronic hemodialysis treatment. The subcutaneous arterio-venous (av) fistula, as introduced by Brescia and Cimino in 1966, is still the fistula of choice. Problems arising from fistula account for 20 to 25% of the complications seen in patients on chronic hemodialysis. Conventional angiography and sonography, as well as clinical investigation are well established methods for diagnosis of fistula problems. To evaluate digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for diagnosis of fistula complications we investigated 35 patients by intra-arterial DSA (aDSA).