Dialysis is a treatment that helps remove fluid and waste from your blood when your kidneys fail. Before receiving dialysis, you should have access placed. Dialysis access is a critical factor in obtaining better dialysis treatment. Understanding the four types of dialysis access will help throughout your treatment. A team of cardiologists provides dialysis access in Bakersfield to patients in need of hemodialysis.
Central Venous Catheter (CVC)
This type of access is a plastic, thin, flexible tube threaded through the skin into the large vein in the chest. A CVC has 2 or 3 tubes. These tubes help you receive more than one treatment. CVCs can stay inserted for weeks or years depending on the type used. You will receive strict instructions and make sure you follow them. A CVC helps you avoid getting regular IVs which can damage your veins.
AV Fistula
This access type is an actual invasive connection made between a vein and an artery. With an AV fistula, blood flows from an artery into a vein directly, bypassing some capillaries and the tissues below these capillaries receive inadequate blood. AV fistula mostly occurs in the legs and is created for people with serious kidney disease. AV fistula allows a high blood flow rate back and forth from your vein to a dialysis machine. Once you have an AV fistula, you need to take good care of it and ensure its functioning properly.
 AV Graft
This access functions similarly to an AV fistula. AV graft is used for hemodialysis. If you have damaged, blocked veins or veins too small for a fistula, you might be an AV graft candidate. AV graft is also an invasive procedure. Instead of connecting the vein and artery directly, one end of a hollow, synthetic tube will be surgically connected to the vein. The other will be connected to the artery, allowing the needles to be placed into the graft.
PD Catheter
It is used for peritoneal dialysis that uses a dialysate solution to filter your blood and clean the lining of your belly. Before you begin peritoneal dialysis, your health care provider places a soft catheter in your belly. When treatment starts, dialysis solution flows through the catheter into your belly, where it absorbs extra fluid and waste from your body.
 PD catheter has some benefits, which increase the quality of life because it provides better patient independence and mobility. With this access, dialysis can be performed at home and takes a short time to accomplish. PD catheter may not be favorable because of poor blood pressure control; also, it is associated with a higher risk of infection in the lining of your belly.
Reaching a point where you have to consider dialysis seriously can be a scary time. But understanding all types of dialysis access means and being prepared, you can feel confident in your doctor’s choice. Ensure you carefully consider various dialysis types and discuss which will give you the best quality of life.
