Improving Hemodialysis Access Care with Ultrasound
Official title: Role of Intravenous ultrasound (IVUS) in arteriovenous hemodialysis access dysfunction
Funded at Boston Medical Center · NIH-11190925 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores how a special ultrasound technique can help doctors better understand and treat problems with hemodialysis access for people with kidney disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $773,634 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK141016-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11190925 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients with end-stage kidney disease who are on hemodialysis and experiencing issues with their arteriovenous access.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not on hemodialysis or do not have problems with their arteriovenous access would not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Many people with end-stage kidney disease rely on a special connection, called an AV access, for their hemodialysis treatments. Sometimes, these connections can develop blockages, or stenoses, which make dialysis difficult. While current methods like angiography help find these blockages, they don't always give a complete picture or predict how well treatments will work. This project aims to use a 3-D ultrasound method, called IVUS, directly inside the blood vessel to get a more accurate view of these blockages. This could lead to better decisions about when and how to treat them, potentially reducing repeat procedures.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to more accurate diagnosis and more effective treatment plans for hemodialysis access problems, potentially reducing the need for repeated interventions.
How similar studies have gone: While angiography is the standard diagnostic method, this project proposes using IVUS to overcome its known limitations in characterizing AV access stenosis, suggesting a novel application or significant improvement.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston Medical Center
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chitalia, Vipul C — Boston Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Chitalia, Vipul C
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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IVUS in AV access dysfunction for hemodialysis patients
A new approach tests whether using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in people with failing AV fistulas or grafts improves diagnosis and guides treatment to prevent more blockages.
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Using ultrasound to improve access for kidney dialysis patients
This study is looking at how using a special ultrasound tool can help doctors better diagnose and treat problems with the blood vessels used for hemodialysis in patients with kidney disease, making sure they get the best care possible.
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Ultrasound-guided brain circuit targets for treatment-resistant depression
This grant tests whether focused ultrasound can safely and reversibly adjust brain circuits linked to negative mood in people with treatment-resistant depression.
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A study will test advanced ultrasound imaging to find biomarkers that help diagnose plantar heel pain and predict who will respond to targeted treatments.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.