ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Fistulography is simple and accurate method detecting vascular access dysfunction. This study was performed to evaluate clinical significance of routine fistulography at postoperative 1 month in hemodialysis (HD) patients receiving native arteriovenous fistula (AVF). METHODS: This study enrolled 28 HD patients receiving native AVF operation who performed routine fistulography at postoperative 1 month before the first needling through the AVF. We investigated fistulographic findings and performed percutaneous angioplasty (PTA) in patients having severe stenosis more than 50 % of normal internal diameter. RESULTS: Of the total 28 patients, 8 patients showed normal findings and 20 patients showed stenosis in which 8 patients had severe stenosis requiring radiological or surgical correction. Of the 20 patients with stenosis, 12 patients had multiple lesions. Stenotic lesions were observed in AVF anastomosis site (n=6), proximal vein (n=5), artery near the AVF anastomosis site, and mixed lesions (n=6). PTA was performed in 5 of the 8 patients with severe stenosis and all stenostic lesions were completely corrected. CONCLUSION: Routine fistulography performed at postoperative 1 month is effective in detecting early native AVF and deciding treatment modalities.