Detection of the internal arteriovenous fistulas in maintenance hemodialysis patients

Objective To detect the internal arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) in 73 maintenance hemedialysis patients, as to explore the recirculation, blood flow and cardiac output of the internal AVF and provide basis for the hemodialysis project. Methods Internal AVF of 73 maintenance hemodialysis patients was detected 30 minutes after the initiation and 30 minutes before the end of the hemodialysis. Patients with low blood flow ( AF 50%. 15 patients (20. 5% ) had AF 1 600 ml/min. During 12 months follow up with the 15 patients (AF <600 ml/min), 6 cases (40%) had occlusion, 7 cases (46.7%) maintained unobstructed and 2 cases underwent kidney transplant. There was statistical significance in terms of internal fistula flow, cardiac output, cardiac index and center blood volume between 30 minutes after the initiation and 30 minutes before the end of the hemodialysis. Conclusions AVF detection plays an important role in the monitor of AVF function in hemodialysis patients. The possibility of AVF occlusion increases in patients with lower blood flow. The recirculation rate is low when AVF obtains enough blood flow and the internal fistula interval is not a major factor. Key words: Hemodialysis;  Internal arteriovenous fistula;  Function;  Recirculation;  Nursing