並列摘要
As the number of patients undergoing hemodialysis in Taiwan increases, the same increment has also been observed in the incidence of hemodialysis access dysfunction and this has lead to a demonstration of significance of the role of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in these lesions. After a review of the present literature along with a collaboration of our experience in angioplasty, we integrated and organized present data to serve as a clinical reference for other clinicians. In this review, we introduce the topics such as the basic concepts on arteriovenous access, types and sites of arteriovenous access dysfunction, prediction of sites of dysfunction, preparations of puncture sites, directions and position of sheaths, options of angioplastic devices, methods for evaluation of lesions before and after PTA along with their related complications. We hope that more physicians engage in studies and attempts to alleviate pain and inconvenience of patients undergoing hemodialysis.