Angiography of chronic hemodialysis arteriovenous grafts.

The arteriovenous graft has become an accepted vascular access route for chronic hemodialysis. Angiography plays in important role in the demonstration of graft abnormalities and in the management of graft malfunction. We describe the two basic techniques of graft angiography and classify graft abnormalities and factors associated with graft malfunction. The role of angiography in each category is analyzed, and representative cases are presented. Pertinent clinical material is also presented to provide information concerning the relative frequency of graft complications. In addition, the role of arteriovenous grafts in chronic maintenance hemodialysis and highlights in the development of graft technology are reviewed.