AVF Stenosis by Electronic Stethoscope

Detection and Prediction of the Stenosis of Arteriovenous Fistula in Hemodialysis Patients by an Electronic Stethoscope

The prevalence rate of hemodialysis in Taiwan is the highest in the world, and the number of new cases of hemodialysis and the death rate are gradually increasing every year. Long-term hemodialysis patients must receive dialysis through the arteriovenous fistula. If the arteriovenous fistula is narrowed, the dialysis effect will be poor or the dialysis will not be possible due to blockage, resulting in complications and mortality. The detection of the arteriovenous fistula must rely on the assistance of professionals.

* Is it easier for clinicians to detect arteriovenous fistula stenosis by an electronic stethoscope?

This study uses an electronic stethoscope to take the hemodialysis center of Douliu District, Yunlin Branch of National Taiwan University Hospital as the experimental site. Select 30 patients who need long-term dialysis, adults (20-99 years old) who have been on dialysis for more than 3 months and have arteriovenous fistula. The experiment period lasted for 3 months, and each person received 2-3 voices per week, about 1080 voices. The main purpose is to use the electronic stethoscope and the experience of traditional professionals, hoping to detect and predict the stenosis in advance. The important key factors of vascular access stenosis in hemodialysis patients were found through regression analysis of the Albumin value and clinical data obtained from routine treatment of patients of a fixed blood test in monthly hemodialysis center.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)
• Intervention / Treatment: Device: Detection and Prediction of the stenosis of arteriovenous fistula in hemodialysis patients by an electronic stethoscope

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 30

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Taiwan
  • Taiwan
    • Douliu, Taiwan, Taiwan, 640
      • National Taiwan University Hospital Yunlin Branch

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

End stage renal disease patients received hemodialysis for more than 3 months

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 20-99 years - Chronic hemodialysis ≥3 months - Functional arteriovenous fistula (AVF) - Ability to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Arteriovenous graft (AVG) - Central venous catheter (Permcath) - Vulnerable populations unable to consent

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
AVF stenosis	Clinical stenosis: Diagnosed by attending nephrologist based on physical examination abnormalities (high-pitched bruit, pulsatile flow, diminished thrill) - Confirmed by Doppler ultrasound showing >50% diameter reduction - Intervention: Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA)	From enrollment to the end of study at 3 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Abnormal AVF sound threshold	Defined using statistical analysis of post-PTA normal sounds	From enrollment to the end of study at 3 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: National Taiwan University Hospital

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): March 17, 2023
• Primary Completion (Actual): June 16, 2023
• Study Completion (Actual): September 30, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 22, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 22, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): February 27, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 27, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 22, 2026
• Last Verified: March 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Hemodialysis, Electronic Stethoscope, Arteriovenous Fistula, Regression Analysis
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Urogenital Diseases; Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases; Pathologic Processes; Male Urogenital Diseases; Pathological Conditions, Anatomical; Kidney Diseases; Urologic Diseases; Female Urogenital Diseases; Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications; Chronic Disease; Disease Attributes; Renal Insufficiency; Congenital Abnormalities; Cardiovascular Abnormalities; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; Vascular Malformations; Fistula; Arteriovenous Malformations; Vascular Fistula; Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Kidney Failure, Chronic; Arteriovenous Fistula
• Other Study ID Numbers: 202302099RINA; AVF stenosis detection (Other Identifier: National Taiwan University Hospital Yunlin Branch)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No