Hemodialysis Access Management
Hemodialysis treats kidney failure by filtering the blood and removing waste and excess fluid. While this treatment can be highly effective, there are times when the dialysis access requires special management to ensure a healthy flow.
Hemodialysis fistulas, grafts, and catheters may be susceptible to low blood flow as a result of clotting or narrowing of the access. In order to correct this problem and restore proper blood flow, angioplasty or thrombolysis (medicine to dissolve clots) may be needed. In more severe cases, a new hemodialysis access may need to be placed. Your dialysis team may refer you to a surgeon or to a dialysis access center for further evaluation if your fistula, graft, or catheter is not achieving optimal performance.