Fistulagram

These studies are performed to monitor the function of the fistula or graft. Several clinical indicators are used to determine the frequency of these studies such as high venous pressures, low flow rates, prolonged bleeding, difficulty with cannulation, weak thrill or bruie or pulsatile site. Our plan is to be proactive in the care and maintenance of your access.

Peripheral Arterial Angioplasty

Often times a study will indicate the presence of a narrowed area (stenosis) of the outflow vein or the inflow artery. It is necessary to place a balloon catheter across the narrowed area and dilate that stenosis to prevent the graft from blocking (clot).

Peripheral Arterial Stenting

Many times a narrowed area will not respond to a balloon procedure alone. When this happens and only if this happens we can place a metallic device called a ‘Stent’ across a narrowed area and use the balloon to open the stent and keep the narrowed area open.

Fistula Maturation Procedures

Your surgeon will place your fistula in your arm but it can take a long while until it is ready to use. We call this process ‘fistula maturation’.

Sometimes it’s necessary to study the fistula using our x-ray dye to ‘see’ if we can find a reason why the fistula isn’t maturing properly. We can then use our micro-surgical techniques to assist in the fistula maturation process by re-routing or re-directing the blood flow into the fistula.

Thrombolysis/Thrombectomy

Your access can get blocked for various reasons even under the best of care. Our center is open to keep your dialysis access open. Once your center has determined that your access has clotted, we can bring you in and set you up for your procedure. We will get into your access site, find out why it shut down, treat the problems and restore the function of your graft.

We can also treat your catheter if it gets blocked up because of blood or a fibrin deposit on the catheter. We can treat this using medication to dissolve the blood or fibrin, by mechanically removing the clot or by changing the catheter over a wire.

Vessel Mapping

This study simply involves placing a small IV in your hand to inject IV contrast (Dye) to show us, your nephrologist and your surgeon where your veins are. This helps everyone plan where the best place to put a fistula or graft is.

Complete Catheter Services

Central Venous Access placement for Temporary use - There are time when your need for dialysis is more important then fixing your fistula or graft. You can have too much fluid in your system or your Potassium can be high causing you to be at risk for a heart attack. We can place a catheter in your neck or groin using our Ultrasound machine. Our Ultrasound machine can show us the best place to put a catheter without having to try several times.

Tunneled Catheter placement for Hemodialysis- When you are new to dialysis you sometimes need to be dialyzed with a catheter until your fistula or graft is ‘ok’ to use. We can place this type of catheter across your collarbone and have you get the dialysis you need until you’re ready.

Access Management Services - We are committed to providing you with the latest in state of the art imaging, diagnostic and interventional services and education to meet your access needs. We will partner with you and your nephrologist to develop a plan of care surrounding your access and manage your access needs. We can put you on a schedule to monitor your access and intervene as needed. Our goal is to Maintain, Preserve and/or Restore your access.