PROCEDURES Vascular access (dialysis access) surgery

What is Vascular Access

Vascular access (dialysis access) is a hemodialysis patient’s lifeline because it makes life-saving hemodialysis treatments possible. It is essentially an access point for dialysis treatment. 

Hemodialysis is a treatment procedure that uses a machine to send blood through a filter, called a dialyser, outside of the body. Vascular access is a surgically produced vein used during haemodialysis to remove and return blood. 

The blood flows through thin fibres that filter out wastes and extra fluid inside the dialyser. The haemodialysis machine returns filtered blood to the body through a different tube. Vascular access continuously lets large amounts of blood flow during hemodialysis treatments filter as much as possible per treatment. About half a litre of blood flows through the machine every minute. Your surgeon should put the vascular access in place weeks or months before your first hemodialysis treatment.

What to expect

Vascular access is where they place the needles that draw and return the blood from your body during dialysis. There are two types of vascular access:

AV fistula

To create a fistula, your doctor will connect an artery to a vein in your arm. After the fistula heals, Your practitioner can put the dialysis needles into it. Fistulas are generally more robust and less likely to get infected than grafts, but they must be prepared several months before dialysis.

AV graft

To create a graft, your doctor will place a tube under the skin in your arm. The line, or graft, connects an artery and a vein. Your practitioner can then insert the dialysis needles into the graft for dialysis treatment. A graft is an excellent choice if you have smaller veins or other issues. A graft can often be used as soon as 1 to 3 weeks after it is placed.

We have a sedationist on staff, so, depending on your needs, you will either be sedated or put to sleep. Your surgeon will place the access on the arm you use the least. If you are right-handed, Your surgeon will probably put the fistula or graft in your left arm. It will probably be placed in your right arm if you are left-handed. 

If you get an AV fistula, you will probably go home the same day as the surgery. If you get an AV graft, you may spend a night at the hospital. In addition, you will probably need to take 1 or 2 days off from work.