What is the minimum arterial lumen diameter for an access graft?

What is the minimum arterial lumen diameter for an access graft?

• A. Greater than or equal to 1.5 mm
• B. Greater than or equal to 3.0 mm
• C. Greater than or equal to 2 mm
• D. Greater than or equal to 4 mm

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that a dialysis access graft needs sufficient inflow from the artery to function reliably. An arterial lumen of about 2 millimeters or larger provides enough blood flow after the graft is anastomosed to support maturation and cannulation. Flow through a vessel increases rapidly with radius, so arteries smaller than this threshold tend to have high resistance, low graft flow, and a higher risk of thrombosis and early failure. Therefore, 2 mm is considered the minimum diameter needed to proceed with an access graft. Larger arteries can also work, but the question asks for the minimum, which is 2 millimeters.

The key idea is that a dialysis access graft needs sufficient inflow from the artery to function reliably. An arterial lumen of about 2 millimeters or larger provides enough blood flow after the graft is anastomosed to support maturation and cannulation. Flow through a vessel increases rapidly with radius, so arteries smaller than this threshold tend to have high resistance, low graft flow, and a higher risk of thrombosis and early failure. Therefore, 2 mm is considered the minimum diameter needed to proceed with an access graft. Larger arteries can also work, but the question asks for the minimum, which is 2 millimeters.