What it means
The sound of blood flowing in a rough, swirling way instead of smoothly. It can be heard over a narrowed artery, such as a carotid artery in the neck, the renal arteries or the abdominal aorta. In a hemodialysis arteriovenous fistulaar-teer-ee-oh-VEE-nus FIS-chuh-luhA connection made by surgery between an artery and a vein, usually in the arm, to give access for hemodialysis.arteri/o arteryven/o vein-ous relating tofistula an abnormal passage between two body partsFull entry or graft, a bruit is expected: it means blood is flowing through it. A thrill is the same flow felt as a buzz under the fingers.
For the nurse
Listen with the bell of the stethoscope. Check a dialysis fistula or graft for a bruit and a thrill every shift, and report if they are gone. Report a new bruit over a carotid artery or the abdomen.
Related terms
auscultation
Listening to the sounds inside the body, usually with a stethoscope.
arteriovenous fistula
A connection made by surgery between an artery and a vein, usually in the arm, to give access for hemodialysis.
thrill
A buzzing or vibrating feeling felt with the fingertips over a blood vessel or the heart.