Which needle gauge is suggested for a blood flow range of 200-250 mL/min?

The suggested needle gauge for a blood flow range of 200-250 mL/min is 17 G. This gauge size is optimal because it strikes a balance between flow rates and minimizing potential trauma to the blood vessels. With hemodialysis, effective and efficient blood flow is crucial for adequate treatment, and needle size can significantly impact this.

Using a 17 G needle allows for sufficient blood flow to meet the demands of the dialysis machine while ensuring that the access site is not overly strained, which can happen with larger gauges. It also helps in reducing the risk of complications such as infiltration or thrombosis at the access site. A 17 G needle provides a suitable flow rate without the excessive vascular trauma that might occur with larger gauges, like 14 G or 15 G, which are typically used for higher flow rates.

In contrast, while a smaller gauge, such as a 16 G, could potentially fit within this range, it may not adequately support the higher end of the flow rate effectively. As such, the 17 G needle is the most appropriate choice for maintaining efficient and safe hemodialysis treatment within the specified blood flow range.