Kidneys are intricate organs, primal to the survival of humans because they facilitate the removal of waste and excess water in the body. Experts have, however, devised methods to handle metabolic waste when the kidneys lose their function. At Vascular Specialists, our specialists are well-equipped in creating arteriovenous fistulas that offer dialysis access. Located in Evergreen Park, we provide patients with the FDA-approved dialysis access technique, Ellipsys® Vascular Access. Contact us to discuss treatment with Evergreen Park dialysis access specialist.

What does dialysis involve?

Dialysis is a medical procedure designed to facilitate the cleaning and filtering of blood after the patient’s kidneys fail. The treatment is done over hours each session, and a patient is expected to undergo multiple procedures weekly. Dialysis is enabled by an improvised access point inside the blood vessels. Our dialysis experts evaluate your veins’ health and general size first before choosing an appropriate treatment option.

How is a dialysis access point created?

The minor procedure involves the creation of a graft or fistula by the team. It helps to strengthen the patient’s vein and increase general blood flow to make the dialysis more effective.

Vascular Specialists doctors also monitor the access port to determine its health frequently because its viability is crucial to a patient’s long-term health and comfort.

Our team also specializes in helping people undergoing hemodialysis prevent clot formation and ensure their dialysis access port is not compromised.

Are clots dangerous during dialysis?

Proper care is mandatory because blood clots might form when the connected blood vessel narrows suddenly in the access port. Having a blood clot when undergoing dialysis makes the procedure less efficient and could clog the process, making it ineffective. Seek treatment once you note any clot formation to proceed with a declotting procedure. After clot treatment, your physician will recommend an appropriate time to reenter dialysis.

Which are the types of procedures used to create dialysis access points?

• Fistula: These are abnormal connections in the body that are made before dialysis. It joins a vein and artery using the patient’s tissues and is done around six months prior to your dialysis. A fistula is a commonly preferred technique of creating an access point, essential to dialysis, and is relatively durable. Other merits include its lower infection risk among other medical complications.
• Graft: a graft procedure also joins an artery to a vein, but this link is done using an artificial clinical tube. It could be produced using plastic or other synthetic materials. Grafts typically heal between three to six weeks and sometimes sooner, making it an efficient option when dialysis is deemed urgent.

It is also effective when your veins are either blocked or too small.

What is the Ellipsys® Vascular Access?

It is an FDA-approved non-surgical procedure that facilitates the making of a dialysis fistula in record time. Unlike conventional dialysis access ports that took hours to make, the new Ellipsys Dialysis System takes only seventeen minutes. The permanent fistula is also beneficial in its short recovery period since patients can receive dialysis after a few weeks.

Conclusion

If you or your beloved require dialysis treatment, please schedule your session at Vascular Specialists and learn about the various access options. You could also visit our online platform and book your session through your booking system tool.