Duplex Sonography of Venous Atheromatosis Found in the Venous Part of Hemodialysis Fistula

Manifestation of atherosclerosis is one of the alterations in venous bypass grafts. Its progression and morphology usually cannot be described by sonography. The venous part of a hemodialysis fistula can be compared to a venous bypass graft. The authors investigated the venous part of hemodialysis fistula in 16 patients. They found athero sclerosis in 7 patients. The morphologic findings were similar to arterial atherosclerosis. Looking at the venous part of hemodialysis fistulas may be an adequate model to inves tigate the initiation and progression of atherosclerotic lesions in venous bypass grafts.