AV Access Surgery

Measure flow and receive immediate feedback on how well a graft is functioning.

Using Medistim systems for quality assessment during AV Access surgery provides immediate feedback on how well a graft is functioning. If needed, revisions can be made before closure.

In AV Access surgery, a non-maturing fistula due to low blood flow can require reintervention and prolonged use of a central dialysis catheter; if the flow is too high, there is a risk of hand ischemia and heart failure.

Patients with chronic renal failure often have a reduced quality of life. Performing quality assessment during AV Access surgery will protect patients against unnecessary re-interventions and improve their quality of life.

Flow quantification is a valuable tool for surgeons performing AV Access surgery. The use of transit time flow measurements in combination with common qualitative assessment methods allows surgeons to leave the operating room with great confidence that their patient will have the best possible outcome.

Several studies have shown that volumetric flow rates are predictive of surgical outcomes. In fistulas using the radiocephalic artery, minimum flow rates between 100cc and 200cc/min are shown to have an increased likelihood of reaching maturity.

Flow reduction using intraoperative access flow monitoring is an effective and durable technique allowing for the correction of distal ischemia and cardiac insufficiency in patients with a high-flow autogenous access. The desired postoperative access flow of 400 mL/min is not associated with an increased risk of thrombosis.

Measuring flow with Medistim systems and quality assessment verification tools will increase the probability for a long lasting shunt and minimize the chance for reinterventions.