Fistula for dialysis

Arteriovenous (AV) Fistula for Dialysis An AV fistula is a connection between an artery and a vein. For this procedure, an AV fistula is surgically made using an artery and a vein in your arm. (Your healthcare provider will let you know if another site is to be used.) When the artery and vein are joined, blood flow increases from the artery into the vein. As a result, the vein gets bigger over time. The enlarged vein provides easier access to the blood for a treatment for kidney failure (dialysis). This sheet explains the procedure and what to expect. Getting ready for the procedure Prepare as you have been told. Also: • Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take. This includes all over-the-counter and prescription medicines. It also includes herbs, vitamins, and other supplements, as well as illegal drugs. You may need to stop taking some or all of them before the procedure. • Follow any directions you’re given for not eating or drinking before the procedure. • Do not let anyone draw blood from or take blood pressure on the arm that will have the fistula before the procedure. The day of the procedure The procedure takes about 1 to 2 hours. You’ll likely go home the same day. Before the procedure starts: • An IV (intravenous) line is put into a vein in the arm or hand not being used for the procedure. This line gives fluids and medicines. • To keep you free of pain during the procedure, you may be given general anesthesia. This medicine lets you to slee...

Arteriovenous fistula An arteriovenous (AV) fistula is an irregular connection between an artery and a vein. Blood flow avoids tiny blood vessels (capillaries) and moves directly from an artery into a vein. An arteriovenous (AV) fistula is an irregular connection between an artery and a vein. Usually, blood flows from the arteries to tiny blood vessels (capillaries), and then on to the veins. Nutrients and oxygen in the blood travel from the capillaries to tissues in the body. With an arteriovenous fistula, blood flows directly from an artery into a vein, avoiding some capillaries. When this happens, tissues below the avoided capillaries receive less blood. Arteriovenous fistulas usually occur in the legs but can develop anywhere in the body. An arteriovenous fistula may be surgically created for use in dialysis in people with severe kidney disease. Symptoms of arteriovenous fistulas depend on where they form in the body. A large untreated arteriovenous fistula can lead to serious complications. Treatment for arteriovenous fistulas includes monitoring, compression, catheter-based procedures and, sometimes, surgery. • Symptoms Small arteriovenous fistulas in the legs, arms, lungs, kidneys or brain often won't have any signs or symptoms. Small arteriovenous fistulas usually don't need treatment other than monitoring by a health care provider. Large arteriovenous fistulas may cause signs and symptoms. Arteriovenous fistula signs and symptoms may include: • Purplish, bulging v...

Once Arteriovenous (AV) graft for hemodialysis An arteriovenous (AV) graft is created by connecting a vein to an artery using a soft plastic tube. After the graft heals, hemodialysis is performed by placing one needle in the arterial side and one in the venous side of the graft. The graft allows for increased blood flow. Arteriovenous (AV) fistula for hemodialysis A fistula used for hemodialysis is a direct connection of an artery to a vein. Once the fistula is created it’s a natural part of the body. Once the fistula properly matures, it provides an access with good blood flow that can last for decades. It can take weeks to months beforethe fistula is ready to be used for hemodialysis. Fistula—the gold standard access The National Kidney Foundation (NKF), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC) agree fistulas are the best type of vascular access. A fistula is the “gold standard” because: • It has a lower risk of infection • It has a lower tendency to clot • It allows for greater blood flow and reduces treatment time • It stays functional longer than other access types • It’s usually less expensive to maintain While the AV fistula is the preferred access, some people are unable to have a fistula. If the vascular system is greatly compromised, a fistula may not be attempted. Some of the drawbacks of fistulas are: • A bulge at the access site • Lengthy maturation time or never maturing at all Fistula care Cleanliness Cleanliness i...

As kidney function deteriorates, you need to replace the role of the kidneys - ‘renal replacement therapy’. A kidney transplant is best, but if there isn’t a transplant option, or you are awaiting a transplant, dialysis is necessary. This can be peritoneal dialysis or most commonly haemodialysis. In haemodialysis, blood is removed via a blood vessel (vascular access), passes through the dialysis machine which removes impurities that have built up in the blood, and this clean blood is then returned to your bloodstream. The gold standard and most reliable form of blood vessel for vascular access for haemodialysis is a fistula. A fistula usually lasts longer than other forms of vascular access, they rarely have infection problems and because they have high blood flow, they remove more impurities in shorter time and so allow for a more effective dialysis. So what is a fistula? A fistula enables haemodialysis to take place. Normal veins used for blood tests are not strong enough for dialysis because blood is pumped through the dialysis machine at high speeds. Somehow, we need to create a ‘stronger’ blood vessel. We do this by connecting a vein to an artery either in the wrist area or upper arm. When this connection is created, fast flowing blood from the artery travels up the vein. The vein adapts to this by gradually thickening up and enlarging and turns into a‘super-vein’. At this point the fistula is strong enough to withstand needling on a regular basis and allows for regul...

What is an arteriovenous (AV) fistula? An Fistulas are the preferred type of access because it utilizes the patient’s own vessels and does not require permanent placement of foreign materials such as those needed to create an While a fistula is easier to work with than other access types, that doesn’t mean it’s completely care-free. So here are some tips to take care of a fistula to maintain optimal blood flow for dialysis treatments. Exercising for your fistula after surgery An AV fistula must mature for several weeks or months before it can be used for hemodialysis, so after it is surgically created, your Keeping your fistula clean Once your AV fistula is strong enough to be used for hemodialysis, it is crucial that you keep it clean. Although a fistula is less prone to • Look for redness or swelling around the fistula area. • If you experience any pain in the fistula area, tell your doctor immediately. • If you get a fever, this can be a sign of infection. • Wash and pat dry your fistula arm thoroughly right before each treatment. Your dialysis facility will provide you with supplies. Proper blood flow through the fistula Blood needs to flow smoothly through your AV fistula. To reduce the risk of blood clots, be careful not to put extra pressure on the area. This may require some changes in your daily habits: • Do not wear tight-fitting shirts. • Do not wear jewelry (such as bracelets) that may restrict blood flow on your access arm. • When carrying things (groceries, b...

Your hemodialysis access, sometimes known as a vascular access, is your lifeline during hemodialysis treatment. During hemodialysis, your access allows blood to safely leave your body through soft tubing and travel to the artificial kidney or dialyzer to be cleaned. Once your blood has been filtered through the dialysis machine, it is safely returned to your body through your access site. When making a treatment plan, you’ll want to make sure you have the safest, most effective type of access for you—and that you care for it properly. A hemodialysis access is necessary for both There are 3 types of hemodialysis access sites: • Fistula • Graft • Hemodialysis catheter Depending on your health, the strength of your veins, and other factors, you and your doctor can decide which type of access is best for you. Hemodialysis is different than peritoneal dialysis, so it’s important to note that each have different When you have stage 4 or stage 5 chronic kidney disease, it’s important to plan ahead to protect your remaining kidney health and feel your best. You will need to schedule your access surgery for fistulas or grafts in advance of your • An arteriovenous (AV) fistula is considered the best choice for hemodialysis—it is made with your own blood vessels, provides optimal blood flow, and has the lowest chance of infection. • To create an AV fistula, sometimes known as a hemodialysis fistula, a surgeon connects one of your arteries to a vein—under the skin of your upper arm or...

An arteriovenous fistula is when an artery and vein connect directly, allowing blood to flow incorrectly. These can be surgically created for people who need dialysis care. They can also happen because of injuries or form in the womb before a person is born. While they’re sometimes dangerous, they’re usually treatable and often curable. Overview What is an arteriovenous fistula? An arteriovenous fistula is a medical condition where an artery and vein connect directly, causing blood to flow between them. It can happen at virtually any place in your body where an artery and vein are close together, especially inside of your organs and limbs (arms and legs). Depending on where fistulas are, why they happened and their size, they can be harmless (or even helpful when there’s a medical reason to create one), or they can be a major health issue and permanently damage your heart. Who does it affect? Arteriovenous fistulas (pronounced “are-tee-re-oh-vee-nus fis-tew-las”) can happen to anyone at any age, especially when they happen because of injuries. Certain types of fistulas are more common in certain groups of people, usually because of their life circumstances (see the Causes and Symptoms section for more details). There are two different terms for more than one fistula, but both are correct. You can use either “fistulas” or “fistulae” (pronounced “fis-tew-lay”). How common is this condition? Arteriovenous fistulas are very common overall, but some types aren’t. The most commo...