Kidney disease affects about 10% of the world’s population. The disease is severe and may lead to complications, including death when not treated. When detected early the treatments are successful, however, in severe cases, you may need a kidney transplant or dialysis to keep going. Unfortunately, a large number of patients have no access to dialysis treatment, affecting their livelihoods and even leading to death. The San Antonio dialysis access management specialists at I-Vascular offer comprehensive care to prepare you for dialysis. This article will help you learn more about dialysis access management.
What is dialysis access management?
Dialysis is a treatment to clean and filter your blood when you have kidney failure or kidney disease. Dialysis access management is a procedure to prepare you for dialysis.
What are the different types of dialysis access management?
Your provider needs to start access before the dialysis. The I-Vascular team offers various dialysis access management options, which include the following.
Arteriovenous Fistula
It is the most common dialysis access and is also known as a fistulogram. Your provider makes a surgical connection between a vein and an artery. It promotes blood flow through the vein, which strengthens and enlarges it.
Arteriovenous fistula enhances a healthy blood flow between the dialysis machine and your body.
Arteriovenous graft
It involves your provider using a prosthetic to join a vein to an artery. The arteriovenous graft is ideal for you if your veins are too small for the AV fistula. It is safe and closes faster than AV fistulas. However, they are more likely to cause infection.
Central Venous catheter
It is a flexible plastic tube fitted into your skin through a vein in your chest, neck, or groin. Central venous catheters present a high risk of infections, hence only used in emergencies.
Peritoneal dialysis
Peritoneal dialysis is an effective option when having dialysis several times a day. It involves using a clear tube or a catheter to administer the cleansing fluid through a small hole in the abdomen. The waste fluid uses the same opening to drain.
Which is the best dialysis access management for you?
Your provider helps determine the best dialysis access management by conducting a comprehensive evaluation. They perform a physical exam and analyze your kidney disease severity and lifestyle. They then create a personalized treatment plan that matches your specific concerns.
What happens when you have dysfunctional dialysis access?
Your I-Vascular provider uses quality minimally invasive procedures to treat dysfunctional dialysis access on-site. They offer the following treatment options depending on your specific needs.
Thrombectomy
It involves removing blood clots
Angioplasty
It involves inflating a balloon inside a blood vessel to promote blood flow.
The miller procedure for steal syndrome
Your provider adjusts the access to its recommended size to enhance blood flow to the hand.
Usually, the procedures are outpatient, you return home after your appointment. Your provider shares your results with the dialysis care team to ensure proper care.
Dialysis access management is essential before you start your dialysis. There are different types, and your provider helps you find the right one. Contact I-Vascular today to schedule your consultation and understand more.
