Background: A native arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is recommended for angio access in patients on chronic hemodialysis (HD). Fistula patency has been improved by exposure to Far Infrared light (FIR).
Objective: To investigate whether a single FIR treatment could alter blood velocity, AVF diameter or inflammatory markers.
Methods: Thirty patients with a native AVF in the forearm were included. Each patient was his/her own control. Ultrasound (US) examinations were performed before and after a single FIR treatment.
Results: A single FIR treatment resulted in a significant increase in blood velocity over the AV fistula from a mean of 2.1 ± 1.0 m/s to 2.3 ± 1.0 m/s (p = 0.02). The diameter of the arterialized vein became wider; 0,72 cm ± 0.02 to 0,80 cm ± 0.02, (p = 0.006). The increase in fistula blood velocity correlated positively with base line serum- urate p = 0.004) and the increase in venous diameter with the base line plasma orosomucoid concentration (p = 0.005).
Conclusions: This study shows that a single FIR treatment significantly increased AVF blood velocity and vein diameter. Thus, one FIR treatment can help maturation of AVF in the early postoperative course.
Keywords: Far Infrared therapy; Ultrasound; hemodialysis; vascular access.