Utility of venography in shunt surgery on hemodialyzed patients

Fifty-eight examples of upper extremity venography in 40 patients undergoing or about to undergo hemodialysis and 18 normal subjects were evaluated. In the normal subjects, tools and conditions of venography were investigated. It was considered necessary to maintain 30 degrees flexion of the cubital joint and supination of the antebrachium and use a 35 x 43 cm film to facilitate upper extremity venous system interpretation. In the patient group, standard venography was compared with shunt-delineating venography (called shuntgraphy) as to advantages and drawbacks. Venography proved to be of excellent use in shunt constructive and reconstructive surgeries in that it provided information supplementary to that obtained in shuntgraphy, or even more valuable information.