Assessment of brachial artery mechanics using velocity vector imaging does not predict arteriovenous fistula failure; A feasibility study

TY - JOUR

T1 - Assessment of brachial artery mechanics using velocity vector imaging does not predict arteriovenous fistula failure; A feasibility study

AU - MacDonald, Conor James

AU - Ross, Rose

AU - Houston, John Graeme

PY - 2020/4/10

Y1 - 2020/4/10

N2 - Strain measurements by US have been suggested as a method of assessing arterial elasticity prior to arterio venous fistula creation. This pilot study sought to develop an imaging protocol to measure strain in the brachial artery via velocity vector imaging (VVI) and determine if differences in strain could be observed between a healthy group and a group with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and if VVI measurements were associated with arterio-venous fistula malfunction. 40 healthy volunteers and 33 patients with ESRD were included in this study. All participants underwent US assessment of brachial artery strain via VVI. Peak velocity, strain, strain-rate and velocity were assessed. Patients with and without AVF failure at 3-months were assessed for differences in VVI measurement. Mean VVI measurements between the patient and volunteer groups were similar, and no significant differences were observed. Measurements were reproducible. No significant differences were observed in patients with or without AVF dysfunction. The results from this pilot study suggest VVI measurements of brachial artery mechanics are feasible and that VVI measurements may be used to assess age related changes of the brachial artery.

AB - Strain measurements by US have been suggested as a method of assessing arterial elasticity prior to arterio venous fistula creation. This pilot study sought to develop an imaging protocol to measure strain in the brachial artery via velocity vector imaging (VVI) and determine if differences in strain could be observed between a healthy group and a group with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and if VVI measurements were associated with arterio-venous fistula malfunction. 40 healthy volunteers and 33 patients with ESRD were included in this study. All participants underwent US assessment of brachial artery strain via VVI. Peak velocity, strain, strain-rate and velocity were assessed. Patients with and without AVF failure at 3-months were assessed for differences in VVI measurement. Mean VVI measurements between the patient and volunteer groups were similar, and no significant differences were observed. Measurements were reproducible. No significant differences were observed in patients with or without AVF dysfunction. The results from this pilot study suggest VVI measurements of brachial artery mechanics are feasible and that VVI measurements may be used to assess age related changes of the brachial artery.

KW - fistula

KW - peripheral

KW - speckle tracking

KW - Ultrasound

KW - velocity vector imaging

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85085277184

U2 - 10.1088/2057-1976/ab7549

DO - 10.1088/2057-1976/ab7549

M3 - Article

C2 - 33438667

AN - SCOPUS:85085277184

SN - 2057-1976

VL - 6

JO - Biomedical Physics and Engineering Express

JF - Biomedical Physics and Engineering Express

IS - 3

M1 - 035022

ER -