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

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.