Hemodialysis Access Procedures

Why the Procedure is Performed

Kidneys act like filters to clean out extra fluid and waste from your blood. When your kidneys stop working, dialysis can be used to clean your blood. Dialysis is usually done 3 times a week and takes about 3 to 4 hours.

Risks

With any type of access, you have a risk of developing an infection or a blood clot. If infection or blood clots develop, you will need treatment or more surgery to fix it.

Before the Procedure

The surgeon decides the best place to put your vascular access. A good access needs good blood flow. Doppler ultrasound or venography tests may be done to check blood flow at a possible access site.

Vascular access is often done as a day procedure. You can go home afterwards. Ask your doctor if you will need someone to drive you home.

Talk to your surgeon and anesthesiologist about anesthesia for the access procedure. There are two choices:

• Your health care provider can give you medicine that makes you a little sleepy and local anesthetic to numb the site. Cloths are tented over the area you so you do not have to watch the procedure.
• Your provider can give you general anesthesia so you are completely asleep during the procedure.

After the Procedure

Here is what to expect:

• You will have some pain and swelling at the access right after surgery. Prop your arm up on pillows and keep your elbow straight to decrease swelling.
• Keep the incision dry. If you have a temporary catheter put in, DO NOT get it wet. An A-V fistula or graft can get wet 24 to 48 hours after it is put in.
• DO NOT lift anything over 15 pounds (7 kilograms).
• DO NOT do anything strenuous with the limb with the access.

Call your doctor if you have any signs of infection:

• Pain, redness, or swelling
• Drainage or pus
• Fever over 101°F (38.3°C)

Outlook (Prognosis)

Taking care of your access will help you keep it as long as possible.

A fistula:

• Lasts for many years
• Has good blood flow
• Has less risk of infection or clotting

Your artery and vein heal after each needle stick for hemodialysis.

A graft does not last as long as a fistula. It can last 1 to 3 years with proper care. Holes from the needle insertions develop in the graft. A graft has more risk of infection or clotting than a fistula.

References

National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Vascular Access for Hemodialysis. Updated July 23, 2014. Available at: kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/vascularaccess/index.aspx. Accessed: February 9, 2015.

Silva Jr. MB, Choi L, Cheng CC. Peripheral arterial occlusive disease. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 19th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 63.