Lindsay RM, Bradfield E, Rothera C, Kianfer C, Malek P, Blake PG
A comparison of methods for the measurement of access recirculation and access flow
Am Soc Nephrol
J Am Soc Nephrol (abstract) (Sep) 7:1412 1996

Each of the three methods tested required injecting an indicator into the venous return line after reversing the blood lines during hemodialysis. For the ultrasound dilution and hemoglobin dilution techniques, the indicator was a bolus of normal saline; for the conductivity method, the indicator was a bolus of hypertonic saline. Recirculation and access blood flow measured by the ultrasound dilution and conductivity techniques compared favorably with each other while the hemoglobin dilution method tended to overestimate flow and to underestimated recirculation and was less reproducible.

Comment: The coefficient of variation (CV) for the ultrasound dilution technique (9.1%) was higher than reported by others whereas the CV for the conductivity method (7.5%) was similar to that reported previously. The investigators in this study helped to develop the conductivity method which requires injecting a bolus of 23% saline directly into the A-V access as well as a special sterile attachment to the blood line. The ultrasound dilution technique requires an injection of normal saline into the A-V access and special non-sterile equipment that clamps onto the blood line. Both techniques are much more accurate and precise for measuring recirculation than the older urea dilution method. (Thomas A. Depner, M.D., University of California at Davis)

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Am Soc Nephrol
Basic hemodialysis : Vascular Access: graft/fistula