Reply to Comments on: Novel use of infrared thermal imaging to predict arteriovenous fistula patency and maturation

Dear Editor,

We thank Hopkins and Khalid for their letter to the editor (1) concerning our recently published study on the novel use of infrared thermal imaging to predict arteriovenous fistula patency and maturation (2).

We agree with the comments made regarding early surgical intervention. We do not suggest that patients found without a fall in temperature should be taken back to theatre. We propose that they should be monitored closely to allow early radiological intervention to assist maturation, or to plan further vascular access formation. We agree with the authors that it would be interesting to follow-up patients with infrared thermal imaging over the course of the maturation process and we are planning to do this in a future study. Regarding arteriovenous access-induced ischaemia, we have already published a paper on the use of infrared thermal imaging as an adjunct for the management of this condition (3).