Abstract: Objective To analyze the efficacy of far infrared (FIR) radiation on blood vessel elasticity and inner diameter in chronic renal failure patients on hemodialysis. Methods Forty-seven hemodialysis patients with failed arteriovenous fistula (AVF) or difficults to establish AVF were retrospectively analyzed. They were then divided into FIR radiation group (n=27) and non-FIR radiation group (n=20). Diameter and damping index of the blood vessels and prognosis of the patients were compared between the two groups before and after the therapy for 3 weeks. Results Diameter and damping index of the vessels were apparently different between the two groups (P ＜0.05). After the therapy for 3 weeks, AVF surgery was successful in 25 cases in FIR group and in 13 cases in non-FIR group, and was failed in 2 cases in FIR group and in 7 cases in non-FIR group, significantly different between the two groups (P ＜0.05). Conclusion In renal failure patients
with unfavorable vascular condition for AVF establishment, the success rate of AVF surgery increased significantly after FIR radiation.

Key words: Hemodialysis, Far infrared, Arteriovenous fistula, Efficacy