AV Fistula Creation

When you receive a diagnosis of kidney failure, you have a number of problems to deal with, your anxiety levels notwithstanding. The last thing you need to worry about is how you’ll go through the treatments successfully. When you rely on the expertise and supportive team of a vascular specialist in Brooklyn, NY and Bronx, NY, you’ve conquered a big part of the battle. Dr. George Bolotin at the Astra Vein Treatment Center provides arteriovenous (AV) fistula creation and AV grafts to prepare you for dialysis in the best way possible for your specific needs and situation. Call today for a consultation.

What Is an AV Fistula?

An arteriovenous (AV) fistula is a type of port needed for vascular access between an artery and a vein. The surgical vascular access procedure is necessary for hemodialysis. If you have a diagnosis of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or you’re experiencing an acute kidney condition that requires dialysis access management,this is part of the initial preparation for necessary, ongoing, lifesaving treatment.

The surgical intervention to create an AV fistula prepares you for dialysis treatments. The fistula provides easy, reliable access to your blood vessels. The surgical access also creates adequate blood flow for effective hemodialysis treatment.

Vascular surgeons prefer an AV fistula to a graft fistula  or even a catheter access for dialysis because the surgical access is more permanent. At the Brooklyn and Bronx-based Astra Vein Treatment Center, founder Dr. George Bolotin leads a team of specialists who leverage the latest medical technology for fistula formation. Dr. Bolotin is a specialist in Interventional Radiology with a focus on vascular conditions  and treatments.

How Is an AV Fistula Creation Procedure Performed?

Your vascular specialist does the fistula surgery on your arm, and with this arteriovenous fistula placement, blood flows from an artery directly into your vein. Ideally, the fistula access surgery takes place about six months before your first session of dialysis. AV fistula creation involves several steps that include:

• Evaluation. The procedure starts with a thorough evaluation of the health of your veins and arteries. The evaluation includes a complete physical examination, as well as non-invasive or minimally invasive tests such as imaging or blood tests. A map of your blood vessels is created at this time.
• Analysis. Your vein specialist in Brooklyn and Bronx analyzes the report from the vessel mapping to determine whether the size and depth of your arteries and veins can support fistula placement. After the assessment, your doctor schedules you for the AV fistula creation.
• AV graft placement.If your veins aren’t thick or strong enough for an AV fistula, the vascular surgeon can use an artificial vein by performing an AV bypass graft surgical procedure.
• AV fistula creation preparation. The vascular specialist chooses an access site and administers local anesthesia. The fistula formation requires that a small incision for easier access to the selected vein and artery.
• AV fistula surgery. Your vein specialist then makes a surgical connection between an artery and a vein that allows arterial blood to flow directly into the vein. The blood flow under high pressure enlarges the vein and leads to thickening of the vein walls so they can withstand daily dialysis treatments.
• Recovery. The arteriovenous fistula usually takes about two months to mature for successful use in your hemodialysis treatment.

Without treating the veins, it’s impossible to do regular hemodialysis sessions. Untreated veins can’t withstand repeated needle insertions and can collapse during the procedure. Vascular specialists use state-of-the-art technology to review the health of your veins and determine if you’re an acceptable candidate for AV fistula surgery.

What Are the Advantages of AV Fistula Creation?

While there are multiple vascular access options for hemodialysis, you need to have thick veins to withstand the process. Fistula surgery has a wider range of benefits that include:

• Good blood flow for dialysis, which can decrease treatment time
• Long-term vascular access
• Reduced risk of infection and blood clotting compared to other vascular access options, such as the use of a catheter
• No synthetic material implanted in your body
• Fast and simple surgical procedure in an outpatient setting
• Shorter downtime during your recovery

Other important points that you need to consider about AV fistula surgery include:

• AV fistula surgery takes place several months before your start dialysis.
• Arteriovenous fistula takes longer to heal than other access options.
• AV fistula surgery requires anesthesia. Fistula placement doesn’t require a hospital stay.
• You can go back to your normal activities in a few days.
• Fistula formation has minimal risks, such as swelling and bruising near your access site or minor bleeding. Your doctor can prescribe medication for these conditions.
• The fistula leads to a bulge in your hand, which hardens as the veins strengthen.

Whom Do I Trust for AV Fistula Surgery?

After a kidney disease diagnosis, your doctor explains the options for vascular access. Top among these is a fistula formation. Most people are apprehensive about fistula placement, but with the right information, you discover the positive impact this surgical procedure has on your future dialysis treatment.

The team at the Astra Vein Treatment Center offer personalized vascular procedures that start with a thorough review of your veins and arteries. The team leverages modern equipment for imaging tests to improve the success rate of vascular surgical procedures. It’s the advantage of visiting an Interventional Radiologist. Contact Dr. Bolotin  for the best vascular access options to improve your hemodialysis treatments.