Boereboom FTJ, Bosman PJ, Blankestijn PJ, Koomans HA
Access blood flow measurements in the low flow range by an ultrasonic device are accurate
Am Soc Nephrol
J Am Soc Nephrol (abstract) (Nov) 6:484 1995

One of several abstracts validating the Transonics ultrasound dilution (ID) approach to access blood flow measurement (see paper by Krivitski et al in Kidney Int). The authors validated the ID approach by a pressure- flow method. First they measured venous pressure at zero extracorporeal flow, and then, with the upstream access occluded, then progressively raised extracorporeal blood flow until the venous pressure equaled the previously measured pressure at zero extracorporeal flow. At this level of pressure, extracorporeal flow must be equal to access blood flow.

In 30 patients, the correlation between ID and pressure-flow estimated of access blood flow was 0.86, and in 14 patients with low flows (mean 476 ml/min) the correlation was still quite good, r = 0.79.

Comment: The data suggest that the Transonics device provides a reliable method of measuring access blood flow, especially in the low flow range which may be predictive of impending access failure. (Daugirdas)

To go back use the BACK button on your browser.
Otherwise click on the desired link to this article below:
Am Soc Nephrol
Basic hemodialysis : Vascular Access: graft/fistula