Background: The global use of Doppler ultrasound (DUS) can extend the survival of recently created arteriovenous fistula (AVF) by facilitating the early detection of complications and easing early management.
Our study aims to provide a view of the possible applications of DUS during maturation and postoperative follow-up of AVFs.
Results: 87 patients with end-stage renal disease who underwent AVF participated in this study: 54 males and 33 females with a mean age of 49.38 ± 11.8 years. The study depicted 56 (64.3%) mature/well-functioning AVFs and 31 immature/complicated AVFs. At the site of the fistula, the mean peak systolic velocity (PSV) and mean flow volume (FV) in the mature group were 256 ± 230 cm/s vs. 76±116 cm/s and 810 ± 183 ml/min vs. 370 ± 520 ml/min in the immature/complicated group respectively (p < 0.001).
Conclusions: FV and PSV are done through DUS, a bedside examination, a safe, non-invasive, low-cost, readily available, and reliable technique that can be used for regular follow-up, observing maturation, and early detection of complications.