Experimental acute and chronic vascular access through the femoral vessels: hemodynamic study in dogs.

In a side-to-side fistula between femoral artery and vein, an external "shunt" was created that simultaneously connected the distal femoral vein and the proximal femoral vein in 14 normal dogs with weight ranging from 14 to 28 kg. Blood flow and pressure alterations of different sites of this experimental model of vascular access were studied. The results showed that the degree of blood flow on these two vascular communications depends on the structural integrity of the femoral artery with adequate blood flow and blood pressure. Also, the correct connection of external shunt with the fistula is of equal importance. It is suggested that the blood pressure as well as the blood flow rate of these two vascular communications were adequate to allow performance of acute and chronic hemodialysis.