The impact of pump controlled blood flow on blood flow in arteriovenous fistula during hemodialysis

Objective To study the impact of pump controlled blood flow (Qb) on blood flow in arteriovenous fistula (Qa) during hemodialysis. Methods A total of 21 maintenance hemodialysis patients with arteriovenous fistula were observed. After access to the fistula by successful puncture, the HD02 ultra- sound hemodialysis monitor was connected to it. Thirty minutes after the beginning and 30 minutes before the end of a hemodialysis session, the Qb was sequentially adjusted to 200, 250 and 300ml/min in 4 minutes apart. When blood flow was stable for 2 minutes after every change of Qb, Qa was measured by HD02 hemodialysis monitor. Patients’ heart rate and blood pressure were recorded. Results Under the Qb of 200, 250 and 300ml/min, the Qa at 30 minutes after the beginning of the hemodialysis session were 1123.0 ± 457.9, 1093.9 ± 449.8 and 1153.9 ± 436.3ml/min (P 0.05), respectively, and the Qa at 30 minutes be- fore end of the hemodialysis session were 1083.9 ± 420.9, 1042.3 ± 413.8 and 1039.2 ± 392.7ml/min (P 0.05), respectively. Patients’ heart rate and blood pressure remained unchanged. Conclusion At the beginning and the end of hemodialysis sessions, Qb in the range of 200～300ml/min did not affect the Qa significantly. Patients’ heart rate and blood pressure were stable. These results also demonstrate the stable cardiac function during hemodialysis sessions.