HemoDialysis
Hemodialysis Access and How It Works
The Pros and Cons of Hemodialysis
Hemodialysis Access and How It Works
An access to the bloodstream must be made before a hemodialysis treatment can occur. An access provides a way for your blood to be carried from the body to the dialyzer or artificial kidney where waste and extra fluid are removed and then returned to your body.Since your veins are too small to provide the rapid blood flow needed for adequate dialysis, a special access must be made to allow for this rapid blood flow and the dialysis needles.
From AAKP Patient Plan
www.AAKP.orgThere are four types of accesses to the bloodstream. A fistula is made by connecting your artery and vein together which allows the new blood vessel to become larger.This make it easier to insert needles and allows more blood to flow through the access to be cleaned. A graft is a type of plastic tube used to put your own artery and vein together. This is often used if your own blood vessels are small or damaged and a fistula cannot be used. A fistula or graft should be placed long before dialysis is needed since each of these needs several weeks to months to mature before being used. A temporary catheter is a plastic tube placed in the neck, chest or groin and is used if dialysis is needed before the fistula or graft are healed. A permanent catheter may be used if, due to medical reasons, a fistula or graft won't work.
The LifeSiteTM catheter consists of a specially designed valve which is implanted by a physician under the skin and a catheter that runs from the valve into a large vein. Patients receive two valves; one for removing blood and one for returning dialyzed blood to the patient.
The valves are bell-shaped with a port in the center. The port is accessed with a needle inserted through the skin, directly into the valve mechanism inside the port.
The LifeSiteTM is considered to be a temporary access, but ongoing research is in progress to possibly change the designation to permanent.
Hemodialysis is the most common method for treating End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).Hemo means blood and dialysis means cleaning. So hemodialysis is a process that uses a machine to clean your blood of waste products, extra water and other substances-a job diseased kidneys can no longer do because they are not working the way they should.Hemodialysis also helps control blood pressure and keeps the proper balance of chemicals such as potassium, sodium, calcium, and bicarbonate.
Hemodialysis is a treatment that works very well for many people whose kidneys are no longer able to function effectively.Hemodialysis not a cure for kidney failure, it will not make diseased kidneys work again but it will allow you to live with kidney failure.Since the 1960's when hemodialysis first became a practical treatment for kidney failure, much has been learned about how to make the treatments more effective.Most people with kidney disease can live long and productive lives if they become involved in their medical care, follow the advise of the treatment team and do all they can to help themselves.This includes learning all they can about their disease and exercising to help maintain the best physical functioning possible.
