Support for Renal Dialysis (Creation and Maintenance of Vascular Access)

Kidneys have a variety of functions in the body, but when kidney disease reduces functions to 15% or less, they can no longer do their jobs. Dialysis is a therapy that performs kidney functions when a kidney can no longer function on its own. Before dialysis can begin, the doctor needs access to the bloodstream to allow blood to travel to and from the dialysis machine. This is called vascular access.

Vascular access for dialysis treatment can be placed in the arms, legs, neck or chest. The access requires surgery and can be:

• Arteriovenous fistula - a permanent access that is placed under the skin, usually in the arm, directly connecting an artery and vein.
• Arteriovenous graft - a permanent access that is placed under the skin, usually in the arm, but includes man-made tubing that connects the artery and vein.
• Central venous catheter or internal port device - an interim vascular access step for immediately required dialysis treatment.

Patients who have reached a point of minimal kidney function due to kidney disease or failure require dialysis treatment.