How to Manage Your Dialysis Fistula?

At Dialysis Management Santa Fe, we understand that your fistula needs to be kept open and free of blockages to enable the blood flow needed during hemodialysis treatments. A Doppler ultrasound and color-flow Doppler ultrasound can be used to test the flow through your fistula and look for any signs of narrowing or clotting, so you can receive the treatment you need to maintain your fistula, prevent infections, and ensure blood flow throughout your body while undergoing hemodialysis treatments at home or on the go. Color-flow ultrasound A color-flow ultrasound is a special type of ultrasound that can measure the flow rate in the fistulas. The fistulas are checked for stenosis or clots. If there is stenosis, it can be mechanically dilated and if there are clots, they can be removed by accessing the fistula from the inside (transhepatic) or outside (transcutaneous). Doppler monitoring Doppler ultrasound can be used to monitor the flow through the fistula. If, for example, the flow in one fistula is low because a patient has not dialyzed in two days, then it can be improved by inserting a medication called acetylcysteine (a mucolytic agent) into their system. Doppler monitoring allows patients and providers to determine when intervention is necessary without having to take unnecessary measures like getting an MRI or CT scan. Dialysis Management Santa Fe offers Acoustic Doppler Monitoring during hemodialysis treatments as well as color-flow imaging which should be used weekly at a minimum to assure that no clotting of blood occurs. Other ways to monitor your fistula Dialysis management in Santa Fe is always available for the highest level of support. Whether you are an in-patient or an out-patient, they can help you monitor your dialysis fistulas. You can call today to make an appointment with a certified trained medical provider if you live in the Santa Fe area or with a certified technologist if you are not local. They offer services such as Doppler and color-flow ultrasound as well as education on managing your dialysis fistulas at home when you don’t need hospitalization. Call them today! Signs of problems Doppler and color-flow ultrasound are used to check the fistulas for narrowing or clotting. A narrowing is called stenosis, which can be treated by dilating the stenosis with an over-the-wire balloon catheter. Clotting is called thrombosis, and it needs to be treated with a clot buster such as urokinase or TPA. Treatment usually involves either placing a stent in the fistula or placing a filter within it that helps prevent clots from forming. Keeping your fistula functioning properly If your fistula is functioning properly, then there’s no need to change any of the prescribed treatment regimens. If you see blood or a clot in the needleless connector or access site, then call your doctor right away. You may need antibiotics or other treatments before having hemodialysis. Call your doctor if you notice that the flow through your fistula has decreased significantly (less than 10 cc/min). You might also experience pain or swelling when dialyzing with a stenosed fistula. You must monitor your fistula at least once per week by inspecting for any signs of clots, narrowing, and loss of color-flow Doppler signals.