Prosthetic arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) for hemodialysis have a high incidence of thrombotic occlusions with ensuing graft failure. We hypothesized that 4-7-mm tapered polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts perform better hemodynamically than 6-mm PTFE prostheses, showing improved patency rates. Therefore, we performed a Duplex ultrasound study of 4-7-mm versus 6-mm loop PTFE AVFs in the forearm. Blood flow measurements, peak systolic velocities (PSVs), and stenosis detection were performed at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Clinical data were obtained for analysis and patency rates were calculated. Of the 60 patients included, 27 were randomized for 4-7-mm stretch ePTFE grafts. Although patencies were similar for both groups, the incidence of thrombosis was higher in the tapered grafts (0.46/patient year versus 1.07/patient year, P P P P Keywords: Document Type: Research Article Publication date: January 1, 2001 More about this publication? Now published as the Journal for Vascular Ultrasound Editorial Board Information for Authors Subscribe to this Title Membership Information Information for Advertisers Reprints ingentaconnect is not responsible for the content or availability of external websites $(document).ready(function() { var shortdescription = $(".originaldescription").text().replace(/\\&/g, '&').replace(/\\, '<').replace(/\\>/g, '>').replace(/\\t/g, ' ').replace(/\\n/g, ''); if (shortdescription.length > 350){ shortdescription = "" + shortdescription.substring(0,250) + "... more"; } $(".descriptionitem").prepend(shortdescription); $(".shortdescription a").click(function() { $(".shortdescription").hide(); $(".originaldescription").slideDown(); return false; }); }); Related content In this: publication By this: publisher In this Subject: Radiology & Imaging , Acoustics By this author: Dammers, Ruben ; Rühl, Anja J. ; Pouls, Katrien P. M. ; Tordoir, Jan H. M. GA_googleFillSlot("Horizontal_banner_bottom");