Why Surveillance is Important: 8 Ways Vascular Access Surveillance Informs the Nephrologist

“A hemodynamically significant stenosis is the substrate for thrombosis by reducing flow, increasing turbulence, and increasing platelet activation and residence time against the vessel wall.” KDOQI Guidelines 2006³ 

Transonic Hemodialysis surveillance provides the nephrologist with myriad information that helps formulate an ideal treatment plan tailored for each patient. Listed below are eight ways that Transonic flow surveillance informs a nephrologist.

1. Tells quantitatively actual function in AV grafts and fistulas in order to identify failing accesses and avert underdialysis, development of stenosis and/or thrombosis
2. Indicates effectiveness of interventions (post-intervention surveillance) or limb ischemia
3. Excludes access dysfunction quickly as cause of underdialysis
4. Identifies a mid-access obstruction
5. Identifies high-flow versus low-flow accesses to select ideal treatment plan for correction (flow-restricting versus re-vascularization procedure)
6. Permits access surveillance to be performed by the clinic’s staff who then can alert nephrologists to possible onset of access dysfunction & referral for early intervention
7. Implements 2006 KDOQI Guidelines³
8. Implements Best Practices for patient care with Gold Standard reference method.

References:

1 Spergel LM, “Transonic Flow Surveillance - The Cornerstone of My Vascular Access Management Program (VAMP)” or Clinical Applications of the Transonic Flow Monitor in the Hemodialysis Facility. (Transonic Focus Note # HD58)

2 HD03Quality Assurance(DL-160-fly) Rev A 2013

3 National Kidney Foundation. K/DOQI Clinical Practice Guidelines for Vascular Access 2006 Updates, http://www.kidney.org/professionals-/kdoqi/guideline_upHD_PDVA/va_guide4.htm.