TREATMENT

Dialysis Access Interventions

VASCULAR & DIALYSIS ACCESS CARE

Dialysis access interventions are minimally invasive procedures used to evaluate, maintain, or restore blood flow through an AV fistula or graft. For patients on hemodialysis, timely access care helps support reliable treatment and avoid missed dialysis sessions.
  • Supports dialysis access
  • Treats narrowing or clots
  • May restore blood flow
  • Often image-guided
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Evaluation & Next Steps

  • Clear severity assessment and next steps
  • Supportive care and recovery guidance
  • Care across 4 Las Vegas locations
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Quick Summary

Key takeaway: Dialysis access interventions help evaluate and treat problems with an AV fistula or graft so dialysis access can keep working properly.

Treatment may include fistulogram, angioplasty, declotting, stent placement, or other access-focused procedures depending on blood flow, narrowing, clotting, and dialysis performance.

WHAT ARE DIALYSIS ACCESS INTERVENTIONS?

Dialysis access interventions are procedures used to diagnose and treat problems with hemodialysis access, including AV fistulas and AV grafts. These access sites allow blood to move between the patient and the dialysis machine during treatment.

Over time, dialysis access can develop narrowing, clotting, slow flow, swelling, bleeding issues, or poor dialysis performance. Image-guided procedures can help identify the problem and may restore or improve blood flow through the access circuit.

Not every access problem can be fixed with a minimally invasive procedure. Some patients may need surgical revision, new access creation, catheter placement, or coordination with a dialysis team depending on the access type and severity of the issue.

Who May Be a Good Candidate

  • Poor dialysis flow
  • Clotted fistula or graft
  • Access site swelling
  • Difficult cannulation
  • Rising dialysis pressures
A full evaluation helps determine whether dialysis access intervention is appropriate based on access type, blood flow, dialysis performance, imaging findings, and overall health.

Conditions Treated

Dialysis access interventions may be considered when an AV fistula or graft is not working well enough for reliable hemodialysis.

Access Narrowing

Narrowed areas can slow access flow and make dialysis less effective or harder to complete.

Access Clotting

A clot can block blood flow through a fistula or graft and may prevent dialysis treatment.

Poor Dialysis Flow

Low flow or high pressures during dialysis may signal a problem in the access circuit.

Access Dysfunction

Swelling, prolonged bleeding, or cannulation problems may require access evaluation.

Benefits of Treatment

  • Restores access flow
  • Treats narrowing
  • May clear clots
  • Supports dialysis care
  • May avoid new access
Benefits depend on access type, clot burden, narrowing severity, vessel health, and dialysis needs.

How the Procedure Works / What to Expect

Dialysis access interventions are usually performed with imaging guidance. The goal is to identify access problems and treat narrowing, clotting, or flow issues when appropriate.

Preparation Before Treatment

  • Dialysis history is reviewed
  • Access exam is performed
  • Medications are reviewed

During the Procedure

  • Access is imaged
  • Narrowing is treated
  • Flow is checked

Recovery & Aftercare

  • Access is monitored
  • Dialysis team is updated
  • Follow-up may be needed

Risks / Considerations

  • Bleeding can occur
  • Re-clotting is possible
  • Revision may be needed

Related Treatments / Alternatives

Depending on the access problem, dialysis access care may involve access creation, graft placement, maintenance procedures, or declotting.

AV Fistula Creation

A surgical connection between an artery and vein used to create durable hemodialysis access.

Dialysis Access Declotting

A procedure used to remove clot from a fistula or graft and help restore access flow.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dialysis access interventions are procedures used to evaluate, maintain, or restore function in an AV fistula or graft used for hemodialysis.
Treatment may be needed when dialysis flow is poor, pressures are high, the access clots, swelling occurs, bleeding lasts too long, or cannulation becomes difficult.
A fistulogram is an imaging test that shows the access circuit and helps identify narrowing, blockage, clotting, or other problems.
In selected cases, declotting procedures may remove clot and treat narrowing so blood flow can return. Some accesses may still need surgical revision or replacement.
Not always. Some access problems can be treated, but a new access may be needed if the fistula or graft cannot be safely or reliably maintained.
The best option depends on access type, blood flow, clotting, narrowing, dialysis needs, imaging findings, and the patient's overall condition.

Locations

LVVIS offers vascular evaluation and treatment planning at multiple Las Vegas locations. Choose the office that is most convenient when scheduling your visit.

LVVIS West Side Consultation Office

8930 W Sunset Rd, Suite 350
Las Vegas, NV 89148

Consultations and vascular evaluations

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LV2 Limb & Vascular Division

8930 W Sunset Rd, Suite 350
Las Vegas, NV 89148

Limb preservation and podiatry partnership care

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LVVIS East Procedure Office

2250 E Flamingo Rd, Suite 100
Las Vegas, NV 89119

Procedures, diagnostics, and circulatory care

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LVVIS West Side Surgical Center

6120 S Fort Apache Rd, Suite 100
Las Vegas, NV 89148

Advanced vascular and interventional procedures

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