Ultrasonic blood flow measurements in arteriovenous fistulas: an experimental study

Femoral arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) were constructed in dogs. Fistulas blood flow was measured simultaneously with standard Doppler equipment, with electromagnetic flow probes and by direct timed blood collection. A good correlation was observed between Doppler and direct timed blood collection (r = 0.822, p less than 0.001) and also between Doppler and electromagnetic determinations (r = 0.747, p less than 0.001). These results lead us to suggest that transcutaneous measurement of AVF flow is possible with standard Doppler equipment and we recommend this technique for the management of AVF constructed in uremic patients.