Ultrasonographic test of subcutaneous arteriovenous Cimino fistula.

A total of 168 chronic dialysed patients were subjected to echography; 48% of them presented aneurysmal alterations of the fistula, with a tendency to increase in proportion to the length of the dialysis period. Two examination methods, the audial and the visual, furnish information on the flow within the fistula, the quality and lumen of the created anastomosis, blood yield, formation and position of collateral circulation. The authors emphasize the advantage of the non-invasive technique as against examination with contrast medium, the early performance of anticoagulation, and the significance of thrombectomy to spare a reoperation of the fistula.