The Clinical Significance of Ulnar Artery Morphology in Artificial Arterial-Venous Fistula for Hemodialysis

Background: The ulnar artery is a terminal branch of the brachial artery. The aim of this study is to provide comprehensive data concerning the morphology of the ulnar artery, with clinical implications for surgeons.
Methods: The current study includes the dissection of 68 upper limb specimens. It investigates the characteristics of the ulnar artery such as the internal diameter, external diameter, wall thickness, and distance of the ulnar artery origin.
Results: In this study, the ulnar artery arose distal to the superior margin of the head of the radius in 82.65% of cases. The angle degree of the ulnar artery with respect to the brachial artery ranges from to 8° to 30°. The internal and external diameters of the ulnar artery were found to decrease gradually from proximal to distal in both genders. The external and internal diameters of the ulnar artery are greater in males than in females. In all cases, the external and internal diameters and the thickness of the ulnar artery at three levels were found to be greater in the right ulnar artery than the left.
Conclusion: The right ulnar artery may be the appropriate choice for artificial arterial-venous fistula for haemodialysis. Due to its wide diameter, the proximal part of the radial artery is a suitable site for the artificial arterial-venous fistula immediately below the origin prior to its profound course. Therefore, it is an easy access for artificial arterial-venous fistula for surgeons. The radiologists must alert the surgeons for surgical modification in the case of high brachial bifurcation.

Keywords
axillary artery; brachial artery; ulnar artery; cadaver; dissection; haemodialysis; sex factor; human; ulnar fistula