Cambio de técnica de punción de la fístula arteriovenosa nativa a partir de los hallazgos ecográficos / Changing the arteriovenous fistula (avf) needling technique based on the ultrasound findings

Introducción: La técnica de punción en área debe evitarse siendo la técnica escalonada de primera elección en la mayoría de los casos. Objetivo: Identificar a los pacientes portadores de una fístula arteriovenosa nativa que se puncionan mediante la técnica del área y que son susceptibles de cambiarla por la técnica escalonada a partir de los hallazgos obtenidos mediante la exploración mediante ecografía doppler. Pacientes y métodos: Los enfermos del estudio son enfermos tratados mediante hemodiálisis asistida (HD) tres veces por semana que cumplen los siguientes criterios de inclusión: Edad superior a 18 años, prevalentes en programa de HD crónica, con acceso vascular permanente tipo fístula arteriovenosa nativa humeral o radial y puncionado mediante la técnica del área. El método de exploración de la fístula arteriovenosa nativa fue la ecografía doppler portátil. Los parámetros ecográficos se determinaron por duplicado y fueron los siguientes: flujo sanguíneo de arteria nutricia (ml/min), diámetro y profundidad del segmento de vena arterializada que no se punciona (cm). Se diseñó un estudio transversal y observacional que se efectuó durante el mes de enero de 2016. Resultados: De un total de 63 pacientes prevalentes en HD crónica, se registraron: 24 fistulas arteriovenosas protésicas o catéteres y 39 fístula arteriovenosa nativa. De éstas, sólo 9 se puncionaban mediante la técnica de área (14,4%): 6 humerobasílicas y 3 humeroperforantes (edad media 73,0±13,3 años, 77,7% con alguna comorbilidad). Respecto al resultado de los parámetros ecográficos, se objetivó una media de 0.7± 0.3 cm de diámetro y 0.5± 0.3 cm de profundidad en el segmento de vena arterializada que no se punciona y el flujo medio de la arteria humeral fue de 1309,9± 966 ml/minuto. En la mayoría de los mismos fue posible utilizar directamente la técnica escalonada gracias a la ampliación de la zona puncionable de la vena arterializada utilizando la ecografía doppler. Y en dos enfermos, fue imprescindible la superficialización previa de la misma. Por tanto, todos los casos de técnica del área pueden ser potencialmente cambiados por la punción escalonada. Conclusión: 1) Se ha registrado una baja incidencia de utilización de la técnica de punción en área en nuestra Unidad de HD. 2) Según los resultados de nuestro estudio, es factible cambiar la técnica de punción en área por escalonada en todos los casos a partir de los parámetros morfológicos y funcionales obtenidos en la fístula arteriovenosa nativa. 3) La ecografía doppler portátil utilizada 'in situ' en la sala de HD es una herramienta valiosa que permite optimizar la técnica de punción de la fístula arteriovenosa nativa (AU)

Introduction: Most AVFs for hemodialysis (HD) should be punctured by the rope-ladder method. The area technique for AVF cannulation should be avoided whenever possible. On the other hand, cannulation guided by Doppler ultrasound (DU) can increase the success of difficult cannulation procedures. Objective: Identify the patients dialyzed through an AVF using the area technique for cannulation that are susceptible for changing to the rope-ladder technique based on the DU findings. Patients and methods: • During January-2016 we have performed a crosssectional observational study in the prevalent HD patients dialyzed through an AVF with two needles using the area technique for cannulation. • All patients were explorer by DU using GE Logic E(linear array 7.5 MHz) device. The following parameters were explored by DU: blood flow rate of the feeding artery (ml/min), diameter and depth of the arterialized vein segment that never was punctured (cm). All parameters by DU were measured in duplicated and the results were averaged. All determinations by DU were performed by the same explorer. Results: From 63 prevalent HD patients, 39 patients had AVF (61.9%) and, of them, only 9 patients (14.3%) were dialyzed through an AVF using the area technique for cannulation (mean age 73.0±13.3 years, 11.1% diabetic nephropathy, time on HD 53.6±26.9 months). All AVF were brachial artery-based AVF (6 brachiobasilic and 3 braquioperforating). The ultrasongraphic findings were the following: mean diameter 0.7± 0.3 cm, mean depth 0.5± 0.3 cm and mean flow 1309.9± 966 ml/min. Only two cases had the arterialized vein in more than 0.6 cm of depth and, therefore, they will need will perform a vein transposition procedure for apply the rope-ladder technique for cannulation. In the remaining cases (n=7), is possible to perform the rope-ladder technique immediately using DU by increasing the puncture zone extension in the arterialized vein. Conclusions: 1. It has been recorded a low incidence of area technique for AVF needling in our HD Unit. 2. It is feasible to change the needling AVF technique from area to rope-ladder technique in all cases by means of the morphological and functional parameters recorded in the AVF. 3. The portable DU used 'in situ' in the HD Unit is a valuable tool that allows to change the technique for AVF cannulation (AU)

Valoración de la implantación del seguimiento ecográfico del acceso vascular autólogo / Assessment to the implementation of an ultrasound monitoring of autologous vascular access

Un acceso vascular adecuado es imprescindible para el tratamiento renal sustitutivo mediante hemodiálisis. Las enfermeras participan de forma fundamental en el seguimiento del mismo. El acceso vascular autólogo es considerado el acceso vascular de elección, pero también es el que más complicaciones iniciales presenta. El objetivo de este trabajo es valorar la eficacia del ecógrafo para el seguimiento y punción de estos accesos vasculares. Material y Métodos: Estudio observacional retrospectivo de octubre 2014 a febrero 2015. Se incluyeron 53 pacientes con fístula autóloga. 31 con acceso vascular en uso y 22 con acceso de nueva creación. Se inició el uso del ecógrafo previa formación específica en ecografía doppler de tres enfermeras y un nefrólogo. Se realizaron 73 ecografías en las que se determinaron flujo arterial, diámetro y profundidad venosa, anomalías anatómicas y disfunciones. Resultados: Se identificaron 9 accesos autólogos de nueva creación con flujos arteriales por debajo de parámetros de normalidad. Se asociaron a accesos vasculares menores de 3 meses, flujos menores de 500 ml/min. De 15 estenosis identificadas hubo un mayor porcentaje en accesos radiocefálicos, también se confirmaron 2 trombosis completas y 1 parcial. Se realizaron 9 punciones ecoasistidas en fístulas autólogas de nueva creación y se modificaron zonas de punción habituales en 8 pacientes. Conclusiones: El ecógrafo ha demostrado ser un instrumento útil para facilitar las punciones y seguimiento del acceso vascular. Permite identificar nuevas zonas de punción. Permite una valoración objetiva de los AV autólogos mediante parámetros ecográficos favoreciendo su seguimiento y alertando de forma temprana sobre posibles disfunciones, posibilitando el tratamiento precoz de éstas. Permite establecer protocolos de seguimiento de acceso vascular más estrecho en sus tres primeros meses de vida y de forma estandarizada a lo largo de la vida del AV (AU)

An adequate vascular access is essential for renal replacement therapy by hemodialysis. Nurses participate in the monitoring of this fundamentally. Autologous vascular access is considered the preferred vascular access, but also the one with more initial complications. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound for monitoring and puncture of this vascular access. Methods: A retrospective observational study from October 2014 to February 2015 was carried out. Fifty-three patients with autologous fistula were included: 31 already in use and 22 newly implanted vascular access. The use of ultrasound scanner was initiated prior specific training to three nurses and a nephrologist at Doppler echography. Seventy-three ultrasound scans which determined blood flow, venous diameter and depth, anatomical abnormalities and dysfunctions were carried out. Results: Nine newly-implanted autologous vascular accesses with arterial flows below normal parameters were identified. Puncture sites were modified in 8 cases. 9 ultrasound assisted punctures were performed in newly-implanted autologous fistulas. Fifteen stenosis were identified. Two full and one partial thrombosis were confirmed. An association between vascular accesses (VA) younger than 3 months and flows below 500 ml / min was found. Increased percentage of stenosis in radiocephalic VA was identified. Conclusions: The ultrasound scanner has proven to be a useful tool to facilitate punctures and monitoring of vascular access. It identifies new areas of puncture and allows an objective evaluation of autologous AV by ultrasound parameters favoring its monitoring and alerting on possible malfunctions early, allowing early treatment of these. This allows establishing protocols for monitoring in narrow VA during its first three months and in a standardized manner throughout the life of the VA (AU)

The role of ultrasound imaging in detecting endometrial cancer in postmenopausal women with vaginal bleeding.

Approximately 10% of women with postmenopausal bleeding have endometrial cancer, the most common reproductive organ malignancy among women in the United States. The use of transvaginal ultrasonography allows the clinician to identify women at risk for endometrial cancer and triage them to an appropriate procedure for a histologically confirmed diagnosis.

Ultrasound for nurses in reproductive medicine.

Nurses are in an ideal position to perform pelvic ultrasound evaluations, and appropriately trained nurses can perform limited ultrasound evaluations as part of the assessment and treatment of infertility. In this article, the author provides detailed descriptions and accompanying ultrasonic images illustrating the use of ultrasound in providing vital clinical information in reproductive medicine and in the assessment of the first trimester of pregnancy.

National survey of Irish community nurses leg ulcer management practices and knowledge.

This survey of found that while many aspects of Irish community nurses leg ulcer management complied with current guidelines, there was a worrying lack of understanding about the key concepts underlying compression therapy.

Survey of Doppler use in lymphoedema practitioners in the UK.

Lymphoedema practitioners anecdotally don't use Doppler in the vascular assessment of their patients prior to the application of compression. The belief is that the results are inaccurate in the presence of oedema. The objective of this article is to gather information about the use of Doppler by lymphoedema specialists in the vascular assessment of lymphoedema patients in the UK. A questionnaire on the use of Doppler in lymphoedema patients was distributed to 250 delegates attending the British Lymphology Society Conference in Glasgow in Ocotber 2005. There appears to be no consensus in the method of vascular assessment of lymphoedema patients. More research is needed to ascertain the accuracy of Doppler in the assessment of lymphoedema patients. Guidelines are also required in the vascular assessment of lymphoedema patients based on scientifically valid evidence.

Lower extremity venous disorders: implications for nursing practice.

Lower extremity chronic venous disorders are significant and common causes of vascular morbidity and mortality worldwide. Venous ulcer relapse rates are as high as 72% and account for approximately 80% to 90% of all lower extremity ulcers. Venous disorders, much like arterial disease, are often progressive and chronic in nature, resulting in enormous economic and human costs in terms of treatment, pain, and suffering. Individuals with skin changes are at high risk of recurrent leg ulcers, which negatively affect the quality of life for both the individual and the family. Prevention efforts should target anatomical vein dysfunction, edema, and skin changes to prevent leg ulcers. This article presents an overview of both clinical and laboratory assessments of lower extremity chronic venous disorders, including descriptions of the risks and pathogenesis for differential diagnosis and implications for nursing.

Changes in leg ulcer management practice following training in an Irish community setting.

OBJECTIVE: To identify regional changes in leg ulcer management following leg ulcer training for community-based nurses which incorporated Doppler ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI) assessment. METHODS: This was a two-part study conducted in the Irish Health Service Executive, Mid-Western Area. An initial audit in 2005 gathered details on all leg ulcer patients treated in the community in one week, including patient demographics, ulcer aetiology, assessment and treatment. The first audit was carried out before the introduction of a training course for community-based nurses in leg ulcer assessment and management. The training programme was delivered in 2005 and again in 2006. In total 30 public health nurses and community registered nurses from this region completed the course. The second part of the study involved repeating the audit in 2007. By comparing the results from 2005 with 2007 we were able to identify changes in leg ulcer assessment and management. RESULTS: A total of 426 and 449 leg ulcers were identified, with a prevalence of 0.12% and 0.1% in 2005 and 2007 respectively. Prevalence increased to 1.2% (2005) and 1.1% (2007) in those aged over 70 years. Most ulcers were venous in origin (63.3% in 2005 versus 68.8% in 2007). From 2005 to 2007 the number of venous leg ulcers treated with high compression increased significantly, by almost 16% (p < 0.0001). Once-weekly dressing changes increased by a significant 10%, reducing the number of dressings requiring more frequent changes (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Significant improvements in leg-ulcer practices were noted in the 18-month study period. The results show very significant increases in number of patients treated with high compression and a significant reduction in more than once-weekly dressing changes. These positive changes may be partly attributed to the enhanced knowledge and skills nurses gained by participating in training.

The effects of education and training on clinical practice in wound healing.

This article considers the effects of two different types of educational programme on community nurse clinical practice in venous ulceration. One group of nurses (the experimental group) attended an educational programme designed to take account of training needs and learning styles. A second group of nurses (the control group) attended a standardised educational programme. A multiple-choice question examination and Objective Structured Clinical Examination were used to measure knowledge and skills. Kolb's Learning Styles Inventory was used to measure learning styles. Findings were that experimental nurses failed to show improved post-intervention clinical practice compared with the control group.

Use of Doppler ultrasound in assessing leg ulcers.

This article outlines the use of a hand-held Doppler ultrasound device as an aid in the assessment of patients with active and healed leg ulcers. It describes the benefits and limitations of Doppler assessment, the steps of the procedure, how to calculate the ankle-brachial pressure index accurately and how to recognise the significance of the findings.

Are ankle and toe brachial indices (ABI-TBI) obtained by a pocket Doppler interchangeable with those obtained by standard laboratory equipment?

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine if the ankle and toe brachial indices obtained by an experienced registered nurse (RN) using a pocket Doppler were within acceptable levels of agreement with those obtained by a registered vascular technologist (RVT) using standard laboratory equipment. DESIGN: A within-subjects comparative design was used. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: Thirty subjects who were referred to a vascular laboratory for arterial studies were recruited. All tests were performed in the outpatient vascular laboratory of a large, urban medical center. METHODOLOGY: Ankle and toe brachial indices were measured on each subject by the RN and the RVT during each visit. Data were analyzed using the Bland-Altman method to assess the level of agreement between the RN's pocket Doppler and the RVT's standard laboratory equipment. RESULTS: Differences between each instrument's ankle brachial indices were within the a priori 15% limit of agreement. Differences between each instrument's toe brachial indices exceeded the a priori 15% limit of agreement. CONCLUSION: The ankle brachial index obtained by using a pocket Doppler by an experienced RN is interchangeable with vascular laboratory testing for detection of lower extremity arterial disease (LEAD). The pocket Doppler-derived toe brachial index was not interchangeable with vascular laboratory testing for detection of LEAD.

An exploration of current leg ulcer management practices in an Irish community setting.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the prevalence of leg ulceration in the Irish Health Service Executive (HSE) mid-western region and to determine the level of assessment and treatment patients have been receiving in the local community. METHOD: Before the introduction of a Doppler training programme, all public health and community health nurses working in the Irish HSE mid-western area were requested to complete an audit form on each patient being treated for leg ulceration during a predefined one-week period. This form recorded details on patient demographics, ulcer aetiology, assessment and treatment. Out of 97 nurses, 96 responded to this audit, giving a response rate of 98.9%. RESULTS: A total of 429 patients with 449 leg ulcers were identified. Mean age was 75.5 years (standard deviation 10.7). Overall prevalence was 0.12%, which increased to 1.2% in those aged 70 years and over. Women were almost twice as likely as men to be affected (ratio of 1.8:1). The main causes of ulceration were reported as venous incompetence accounting for 63.3% (284/449) and arterial insufficiency accounting for 8% (36/449) of all ulcers. Only 59.9% (269/449) of all ulcerated limbs had ABPI measurements performed. Of those reported as venous in origin, 71.8% (204/284) had ABPI measurements recorded. Evidence-based care was generally apparent in this group, with 47.5% (97/204) receiving high compression and 18.1% (37/204) receiving reduced compression. However, in venous leg ulcers where ABPIs were not recorded (n=80) care appeared haphazard and inappropriate. CONCLUSION: Our study has identified the benefit of ABPI Doppler assessment.This assessment could be done in local health centres by trained nurses who could provide more appropriate and timely care to patients, thereby improving outcomes and relieving pressure on acute hospital clinics.

Doppler ultrasound--basics revisited.

Palpation of pedal pulses alone is known to be an unreliable indicator for the presence of arterial disease. Using portable Doppler ultrasound to measure the resting ankle brachial pressure index is superior to palpation of peripheral pulses as an assessment of the adequacy pf the arterial supply in the lower limb. Revisiting basics, this article aims to aid the clinician to understand and perform hand-held Doppler ultrasound effectively while involving the client or patient in the process. The author describes the basics of Doppler ultrasound, how to select correct equipment for the process, and interpretation of results to further enhance clinicians' knowledge.

Community nurse use of Doppler ultrasound in leg ulcer assessment.

Doppler ultrasound is used by community nurses to measure the ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI). This is required before applying compression therapy for patients with chronic venous insufficiency and venous leg ulcers.However, emphasis on the ABPI result has resulted in inappropriate referrals to the vascular department which led the author to survey current practice within one primary care trust. Results illustrated variations in how nurses obtain training and maintain their competency in using Doppler ultrasound. This has an impact on the accuracy of interpretation of the ABPImeasurement and subsequent management of the patient. Practical issues also explained the difficulties nurses encountered in using the correct procedure within the community, which may result in unreliable measurements. There is a need to standardize training for all community nurses, and to review the structure of current clinical guidelines to enable a wider analysis of arterial assessment, in order to reduce the emphasis purely on the ABPI measurement.