Thursday, August 13, 2009

Rule of 6s for Dialysis Access Placement

The "Rule of 6s" describes an easy way to evaluate the maturity of a recently-placed arteriovenous fistula for dialysis access--and is even mentioned by name in the most recent KDOQI Guidelines for Dialysis Access.  The Rule of 6s is as follows:

6 weeks after the AV fistula has been placed, the fistula should:
(a) be able to support a blood flow of 600 ml/min.
(b) be at a maximum of 6mm from the surface.
(c) have a diameter greater than 6mm.

Failure to achieve these goals warrants a further investigation, usually in collaboration with the access surgeon who placed the fistula, into why the fistula did not mature.  Ideally, the existing fistula can still be encouraged or modified to eventually achieve maturity; if not, a new access site can be attempted.  
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4 comments:

  1. chaisyAugust 16, 2009 at 12:59 PM

    I think it has to be no more than 6 cm from the surface.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousAugust 16, 2009 at 5:12 PM

    Chaisy,

    Quoting the K/DOQI guidelines

    "a depth of approximately 0.6 cm (ideally, between 0.5 to 1.0 cm from the skin surface). This combination of characteristics can be remembered easily as the Rule of 6s."

    0.6 cm = 6 mm

    6 cm would be much to deep to cannulate

    http://www.kidney.org/PROFESSIONALS/kdoqi/guideline_upHD_PD_VA/va_guide1.htm

    Sparks

    ReplyDelete
  3. chaisyAugust 16, 2009 at 11:19 PM

    Sorry I just misunderstood the whole thing. Thanks for clarifying..

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousOctober 30, 2013 at 10:14 AM

    There should be at least 6 inches vein avaialble for neelde puncture

    ReplyDelete

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