Korean J Nephrol.  2006 Sep;25(5):797-802.

Accuracy of Physical Examination in Detecting Arteriovenous Fistula Dysfunction in Hemodialysis Patients : Comparison with Venographic Findings

• Choi JR
• Kim YS
• Yoon SA
• Won YD
• Son YS
• Song WJ
• Song HC
• Kim YS
• Chang YS
• Bang BK
• Kim YO

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Physical examination is a simple method detecting arteriovenous fistula (AVF) dysfunction in hemodialysis (HD) patients but its accuracy is not well-known. We evaluated the accuracy of physical examination in detecting AVF dysfunction by comparison with venographic findings.
METHODS
This study enrolled 46 HD patients receiving native AVF operation. Mean age was 55+/-13 years and the number of male was 20. Physical examination of AVF was performed for 1 month after the operation by a skilled nurse. And then venography was performed. We compared physical findings with venographic findings.
RESULTS
Of the total 46 patients, 28 patients showed abnormal physical findings. Abnormal findings included poor maturation (n=18), difficult palpation of vein (n=5), palpation of stenotic lesion (n= 3), weak thrill (n=1). Incidence of abnormal venographic findings was higher in the patients with abnormal physical findings than those in the patients with normal findings (75% vs. 5.5%, p<0.001).
CONCLUSION
This study suggests that physical examination is an accurate and useful method in detecting early AVF failure.

Keyword

Hemodialysis; Arteriovenous fistula; Venography; Physical examination

MeSH Terms

Male
Humans
Incidence