Abstract: Objective　To evaluate the effect of Fogarty catheters in removing dialysis vascular access thrombus. Methods The thrombosed vascular access was incised and 3 Fr catheter was inserted. After the Fogarty catheter broke through the thrombus, the saline was infused into the balloon and then the catheter was pulled back. Results The operations were performed in 18 patients. All of them received hemodialysis within 24h. The access flow was restored and allowed successful hemodialysis with blood flow 250 ml/min in 15 patients, 3 patients had poor blood flow. The fistulas rethrombosed in 6 patients. Twelve patients vascular accesses were used well and the longest using time was 26 months. Conclusions To remove the vascular access thrombus by using the Fogarty catheter could get a satisfied results which can reserv the same vascular access and prolonge the vascular access life.

Key words: Fogarty catheter, Thrombus