What is a Hemodialysis Access?
When your own kidneys fail, hemodialysis is a procedure that eliminates toxins and excess fluid from your blood. A connection to the blood inside your blood arteries is required before hemodialysis can be performed.
Hemodialysis access, also known as vascular access, is a mechanism for hemodialysis machines to access your blood. The access permits your blood to flow through soft tubes to the dialysis machine, where it is cleaned as it travels through a dialyzer, which is a particular filter.
Hemodialysis Access Graft is considered the second choice for access. A graft, an access made by using a piece of soft tube to join an artery and vein in your arm.
Hemodialysis Access Using Graft-
An artificial tube is inserted between a vein and a neighboring artery to do minor surgery. In most cases, an AV graft is placed inside the bend of your arm or in the upper arm. It may be inserted into your leg or chest wall. Before the Hemodialysis Access Graft may be used, it must be in place for at least two weeks after surgery.
AV Graft Pros And Cons -
Pros:
- Once it's ready to use, it provides great blood flow
- After the procedure, the access can be used to shower.
- Clotting can be a problem that may require surgery or other treatment to resolve.
- Takes longer than an AV fistula to heal
- May become infected faster than an AV fistula
- Needles are put into the dialysis machine to link it to the patient.
What happens after my Access Surgery?
You should follow your doctor's instructions for caring for your new access after it has been implanted.
What happens when I start dialysis?
At the start of each dialysis session, two needles are put into your access if you have an AV graft. These needles are attached to dialysis machines via flexible plastic tubes. One of these tubes transports your blood to the machine. The blood is cleaned as it goes through the dialyzer or artificial kidney. Through the other tube, it is returned to you.