Dialysis Access

What is Dialysis Access?

It is a way to your blood stream lying just below your skin in the arm or the leg allowing blood to be removed and returned quickly, efficiently and safely during dialysis.

What is hemodialysis?

This is the most effective treatment for renal failure. The dialysis machine is an artificial kidney for removing impurities from your blood and return it quickly, safely and efficiently to your blood stream. It thus regulates fluid and chemical balances.

What are the types of dialysis access?

This is a surgical procedure with the portal immediately below your skin.

• AV Fistula – the vascular surgeon joins the artery in your arm to the adjoining vein
• AV Graft – A synthetic tube is placed below the skin connecting the artery to the vein.

In both the cases blood flows from the artery to the vein, dilating it and also strenthning it. By this procedure a large amount of blood passes through the vein rapidly which helps dialysis to proceed efficiently.

The fistula takes about 8 – 12 weeks to mature. At maturity a large dialysis needle can be placed within the vein without injuring it.

AV Graft may be used for dialysis within 2 – 6 weeks.

Normally fistulas are preferred as there are lesser chances of infection and grafts are the last resort.