[Transcutaneous measurement of blood flow in arteriovenous fistulae caused by hemodialysis using Doppler ultrasound]

Blood flow measurement in arterio-venous fistulae can be performed with a duplex ultrasound system which combines echography and C. W. Doppler. This method is very useful to follow up the patency of the fistulae and his consequence on the cardiac function. The exploration consists in two steps: a qualitative study of the Doppler spectrum to detect a possible decrease of the arterial diastole flow which traduce a severe stenosis; the evaluation of the blood flow in ml/min. The blood flow in ml/mn is a good parameter for the follow-up of the fistulae; moreover in case of high blood flow values, it is very useful to guide the surgical therapy.