Dialysis access represents a lifeline for the patient with chronic kidney disease requiring renal replacement therapy. The gold standard is well recognized as the autogenous arterio-venous fistula. The surveillance and maintenance of access is therefore crucial to avoid access failure and subsequent morbidity, particularly through central venous catheterization.
Ultrasound examination should involve a review of the clinical history and both physical and sonographic assessment. The interpretation of the acquired information can lead to accurate diagnosis and instigate timely and appropriate treatment of malfunctioning access.
The purpose of this pictorial essay is to describe the complete evaluation of a dialysis access and review the findings associated with the most common pathologies.
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