Imaging of hemodialysis fistulas: limitations of MR angiography

The clinical feasibility and utility of a three-dimensional (3D) MR angiography (MRA) were evaluated in 20 patients with hemodialysis fistulas. All patients had well functioning shunts and were imaged with a fast imaging in steady precision (FISP) flow rephased and flow dephased sequence. For comparison digital subtraction angiography and color-coded image directed Doppler sonography were used. Of 20 patients studied, 4 interrupted the MR examination due to pain in the shoulder of the extremity imaged. Of the 16 remaining fistulas only 2 were completely displayed on MR including feeding artery, anastomosis, and draining vein(s) on the MRA. Although 15 of 16 feeding arteries were shown by MRA, 10 of 16 draining veins and 14 of 16 anastomoses of the fistulas showed signal voids due to a lack of rephasing. Superimposing the MRA on the dephased images helped to demonstrate the shunt in another four patients having normal shunts. Thus, the utility of 3D MRA in imaging of hemodialysis fistulas is limited by technical problems and by patient's cooperation.