Predictive model for av-fistula maturation using ultrasound (V1)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Pre and post-surgery duplex ultrasound measurements that can predict arteriovenous fistula (AVF) outcome in adult patients requiring haemodialysis: a feasibility study.
IRAS ID
134383
Contact name
A Charig
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
PHT R&D Office
Research summary
Feasibility study: predictive model for fistula maturation using ultrasound.
Patients with end-stage-renal-failure require a kidney transplant or dialysis - a blood filtering technique. Haemodialysis is one type of dialysis. The preferred type of vascular access (the site where blood is removed and returned) for haemodialysis is a fistula. This is due to lower complication rates for thrombosis and infection compared to other methods, e.g. a catheter.
Surgery is required to attach an artery and vein, usually in the forearm, to create a fistula. Locally there are considerable failure rates associated with fistula surgery at present. Research has suggested that routine ultrasound assessment may result in favourable fistula outcome compared to observational assessment alone (as currently conducted locally), however, ultrasound and demographic variables with the greatest predictive power are poorly defined.
Identifying predictors of fistula failure may reduce the number of operations that result in poor outcome, benefiting patient care and reducing the number of secondary interventions required to achieve and maintain fistula patency.
Adult patients requiring fistula formation will be invited to participate. All participants will receive both an observational assessment (by a Renal surgeon) and an ultrasound assessment (by the lead researcher) pre-surgery and at 2 and 6 weeks post-surgery. Participant involvement will be 6 weeks, with the study being completed over 6 months. No additional hospital visits will be required and no changes will be made to patient care. All persons other than the lead researcher will be blinded to the findings of the ultrasound assessments; completed solely by the lead researcher to eliminate inter-observer bias.
An application for additional funding has been made to the Circulation Foundation, however, the overheads incurred will be covered by the training contract of the lead researcher if unsuccessful. Patients will be recruited from the Renal Outpatients Department of the QAH.
REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/EM/0433
Date of REC Opinion
13 Nov 2013
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion