SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EVALUATING HEMODIALYSIS ARTERIOVENOUS FISTULA MATURATION

摘要

The invention relates to evaluation of maturity of arteriovenous (AV) fistula using guidewires that measure intravascular blood flow and/or pressure. The invention provides methods of evaluating AV fistula maturation using an instrumented guidewire to measure intravascular flow and/or pressure. By using a small diameter guidewire that does not interfere substantially with the flow, an accurate measurement can be made that is useful for identifying when a fistula is mature and therefore ready to be used for hemodialysis. The flow of blood through the fistula is measured using the guidewire and the measured flow and/or pressure of blood is used to determine if the fistula is mature.

主权项

1. A method for assessing maturation of a fistula, the method comprising:
inserting an instrumented guidewire into a vessel of a patent, the vessel comprising a fistula providing fluid communication between the vessel and an adjacent vessel; measuring flow of blood through the fistula using the guidewire; and using the measured flow of blood to determine if the fistula is mature.