Reasons to Be Checked
Our vascular access center provides specialized care for maintaining, caring, and intervening in case of a problem with your access. Our vascular access care team is here for you, whether it is a minimally invasive creation of dialysis vascular access (endovascular AVF) or minimally invasive procedures to maintain healthy access.

A dysfunctional access can decrease the amount and quality of dialysis you receive during treatment. We recommend daily check your access to ensure it is in good working condition, and we will teach you how to take care of it at home every day. We also inform you about the lookout signs you should be aware of in case of a problem with your vascular access.

Most arteriovenous grafts and arteriovenous grafts (AV) complications are caused by narrowing in the blood vessels, while catheters are prone to infections, blockages and clots. Our goal is to evaluate and intervene in a timely manner to keep your access in good working condition.

Every dialysis access carries its own risks and complications. The following are some of the reasons to have your access checked:

  • If there is poor blood flow during dialysis (low access flows).
  • When there is poor KT/V. This is a measure of dialysis adequacy or how good of a toxin clearance you are receiving at dialysis.
  • Bleeding excessively after dialysis.
  • Needle cannulating difficulties.
  • Pulling clots via access.
  • Absent thrill or flow in the access.
  • High dialysis machine vascular pressures (caused by stenosis or obstruction of the veins).
  • Swelling of arm/extremity having the vascular access.
  • Aneurysm evaluation.
  • Hand numbness/pain in access arm (specially during dialysis).
  • Blocked dialysis catheter.
  • Infected dialysis catheter.
  • Broken/displaced dialysis catheter.
  • Fever or pus draining from the access is an indication that you might have an infection.
  • Failure of fistula maturity (caused by stenosis/blockage or presence of accessory vein).

We understand that doctor visits can be unpleasant and inconvenient at times. Our staff is ready to help in case you have a problem with your access. For more information about the access procedures we perform to restore the normal functioning of your access, contact us or request an appointment today.