Vascular access for kidney dialysis

It can be stressful learning your kidneys aren’t functioning the way they should and you need dialysis. At Advocate Health Care, our vascular specialists provide surgical expertise to create a kidney dialysis access point as a way for the dialysis machine to reach your blood.

What is dialysis?

Dialysis is a treatment to help when your kidneys can’t filter your blood of excess fluids and waste. You’re connected for a period of time to a dialysis machine, which filters your blood for you.

Treatment options

Many people often function normally with one healthy kidney. However, if both of your kidneys are removed or damaged, it may be necessary to begin dialysis, a mechanical process that’s usually done several times per week and performs the function of the kidneys.

Usually for long-term kidney dialysis, you’ll need a kidney dialysis access site in your arm for the dialysis machine to reach your blood. To create this access point, we’ll use a minor surgical procedure such as:

• Arteriovenous (AV) fistula: If your own veins can be used, we’ll create a connection between an artery and a vein.
• Arteriovenous (AV) graft: If your veins are too small or not ideal for a fistula, we’ll create a graft using thin, flexible tubing.

After these connections are in place, our vascular specialists will carefully monitor them for any blockages. We’ll use an X-ray procedure called a fistulogram to look for damage and if needed, use surgical repair (angioplasty) and supports (stents) to repair blockages.