Dialysis Access

Dialysis access is essential for people with kidney failure. The team of experts at Advanced Vascular Surgery throughout Michigan, includes board-certified vascular surgeons who perform a wide range of dialysis access procedures. The team works closely with you to determine what treatment options work best. Call the office or request an appointment online today. 

What is dialysis access?

Dialysis access is the port for hemodialysis. Hemodialysis is a treatment for kidney failure. 

Your kidneys remove waste and fluid from your blood. When you have kidney failure, your kidneys cannot perform this function, leading to life-threatening symptoms. 

Hemodialysis is a medical treatment that takes over the function of your kidneys. It involves removing blood from your body, cleaning it, and then returning your clean blood back to your body. Dialysis access serves as the point where blood is removed and returned.

Advanced Vascular Surgery is a state-of-the-art practice with vascular surgeons who perform dialysis access procedures. 

What are the types of dialysis access?

The team at Advanced Vascular Surgery offers many types of dialysis access options. These include:

Central venous catheter

A central venous catheter is a plastic tube placed in a large vein in the chest, neck, or groin. For dialysis access, the surgeons at Advanced Vascular Surgery tunnel the catheter under the skin in the chest and into the vein in the neck to reduce the risk of infection.

For hemodialysis, they leave a portion of the catheter protruding from the skin in the chest. It is a temporary dialysis access.

Arteriovenous (AV) fistula

An AV fistula is a dialysis access the surgeons make by sewing an artery to a vein, usually in the arm. The strong blood flow from the artery enlarges and thickens the vein, which is used for hemodialysis. 

The team at Advanced Vascular Surgery considers the AV fistula the best dialysis access option because it lasts longer and there’s a lower risk of infection.

AV Graft

An AV graft creates dialysis access from a synthetic vein the surgeons attach to an artery and vein in the arm. AV grafts are the second-best dialysis access option because they wear out over time.

When do I need to schedule a dialysis access consultation?

You should schedule a dialysis access consultation at Advanced Vascular Surgery if you need hemodialysis now or in the near future. The team conducts a thorough evaluation and discusses your access options with you. 

If you need hemodialysis immediately, they may place a central venous catheter and then an AV fistula or graft. It takes four to six weeks for an AV fistula to heal and two weeks for an AV graft to heal.

To learn more about dialysis access from the vascular surgeons at Advanced Vascular Surgery, call the office or schedule a consultation online today.