Using intravascular ultrasound to improve dialysis access for patients with end-stage renal disease

Role of Intravascular Ultrasound in Patients With End-stage Renal Disease on Dialysis

Not applicable Interventional Boston Medical Center · NCT04399941

This study is testing if using a special ultrasound can help doctors find problems with blood vessels in patients on dialysis to improve their treatment.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 85 Years
SexAll
SponsorBoston Medical Center Academic / other
Locations1 site (Boston, Massachusetts)
Trial IDNCT04399941 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the effectiveness of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) as a diagnostic tool for central venous stenosis (CVS) in patients with end-stage renal disease who are on hemodialysis. Patients experiencing dialysis access malfunction will undergo a diagnostic fistulogram, and the study aims to compare the information obtained from IVUS with traditional venography. By providing more detailed imaging, IVUS may enhance the understanding of vascular conditions affecting dialysis efficacy. The goal is to improve patient outcomes by potentially identifying issues that standard methods may miss.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are patients with end-stage renal disease who are currently receiving hemodialysis and experiencing dialysis access malfunction.

Not a fit: Patients who are not on hemodialysis or do not have a dialysis access malfunction may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to better management of dialysis access issues, improving the quality of life for patients with end-stage renal disease.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of IVUS in this context is relatively novel, similar imaging techniques have shown promise in other vascular conditions, suggesting potential for success.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* ESRD (end stage renal disease) patients at BMC (Boston Medical Center)
* Receiving hemodialysis
* Has a dialysis access malfunction
* Undergoing a diagnostic fistulogram for the dialysis access malfunction

Exclusion Criteria:

* None

Where this trial is running

Boston, Massachusetts

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions End Stage Renal Diseaseintravenous ultrasoundcentral venous stenosishemodialysisdialysis access malfunctionfistulogramstenosisvirtual histology software
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.