Dialysis Access
Fitsula - Arteriovenous
There are four dialysis access types.
- Arteriovenous (AV) Fistula
- Arteriovenous (AV) Graft
- Central Venous Catheter (CVC)
- Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) Access
The arteriovenous (AV) fistula is often the best option, and considered “the gold standard” of hemodialysis access.
What is an AV Fistula?
An AV Fistula is a surgical connection between one of your arteries and one of your veins. Most of the time, a fistula is created in your non-dominant arm, but it can also be placed in your leg if the arteries and veins in your arm are not large or healthy enough.
AV Fistula Creation Procedure
The AV Fitsula procedure is considered minor surgery and can be performed on an outpatient basis. The entire procedure usually takes about one hour to complete.
After you’ve been mildly sedated, your vascular specialist will use local anaesthesia to numb the area in your arm or leg where the fistula will be created. Next, a small incision will be made in order to locate the vein and artery that will be used to create the fistula. Once they are located, the vein will be connected to the artery and the skin incision will be sutured closed.
There are many advantages to an AV fistula, including:
- AV fistulas are created from your body. There are no artificial components used.
- They can function for years
- They’re not as likely as a catheter to become infected or clotted.
- They are often easier to maintain than other access options.
- AV fistulas provide good blood flow to the dialyzer, and may reduce the prescribed dialysis treatment time.
