Acuson nx3

Before and after surgery, we performed Doppler ultrasound (DUS) examinations of the aneurysmal dilated dialysis fistulas using 4–11 MHz linear probes (Siemens ACUSON NX3 or Siemens ACUSON X300, Munich, Germany). We studied the fistula’s maximal diameter, aneurysm length, stenosis or thrombus presence, and blood flow characteristics. Based on the DUS examination, we assessed the possibility of fistula reconstruction or the necessity for ligation and the preferable type of surgery.

Echocardiograms were obtained using a Siemens Acuson NX3 ultrasound system (Siemens Healthineers, Erlangen, Germany) with 16-MHz linear array transducer. Mice were continuously monitored using a consistent isoflurane titration (1–2%) during imaging to maintain a heart rate of 450–500 beats per minute (bpm). M-mode (2-D guided) echocardiographic images were acquired along the parasternal short axis. Left ventricular (LV) internal dimensions in systole and diastole (LVIDs and LVIDd, respectively), as well as the diastolic thickness of the LV posterior wall (LVPWd) and diastolic intraventricular septum thickness (IVSd), were measured in at least three cardiac cycles and averaged. Fractional shortening (FS), ejection fraction (EF), and stroke volume were calculated as follows: FS (%) = (LVIDd − LVIDs) × 100/LVIDd; EF (%) = (LV end-systolic volume/LV end-diastolic volume) × 100; stroke volume = (LV end-diastolic volume − LV end-systolic volume).