Sonographers map out the way.

The article discusses the effects of a sonographer-led vascular access service for patients who undergo haemodialysis (HD) due to renal failure. It notes the importance of maintaining vascular access for acute and chronic HD patients suggesting that pre-operative vascular mapping with ultrasound of the upper limb vessels will boost the patency rate of arteriovenous fistula (AVF). It mentions the development of the ultrasound vascular service at Raigmore Hospital which is intended to provide pre-operative mapping, screening for pre-use fistulae and surveillance of new and existing fistulae.