Question 1

is it required to shut down a mature av fistula for surgery on the same side?

Accepted Answer

Usually yes: If there are 2 functioning av accesses on the same side, there is higher risk of access steal (not enough blood flow to the hand, producing hand pain and sometimes gangrene of the fingers). If the mature access is having problems (pseudo aneurysms, stenosis), most times we can repair it rather than sacrifice it to place another access.

Question 2

why is my av fistula ugly?

Accepted Answer

Weak Areas: Repeated trauma from the use of the needles to access for avf builds up over time. If happens to some degree in every patient but can happen more in patients who get the same areas "re-stuck" every time.  These are called pseudoaneursyms. Best practice is to rotate "sticks" (needle access) as much as possible. Some patients need to have these operated on in extreme situations.

Question 3

what does an av fistula for dialysis mean?

Accepted Answer

Arteriovenous fistul: It is an arteriovenous fistula. It is a surgical connection of an artery and a vein. Once "mature", it is where they insert the needles for the blood to flow to the dialysis machine. It can take 3 months or so from "creation" until it is ready to use.

Question 4

what happens to your circulation when you have an av fistula?

Accepted Answer

Well, : An arteriovenous fistula is a disruption of the normal blood flow pattern. Normally, oxygenated blood flows to the tissue through arteries and capillaries. Following the release of oxygen in the tissues, the blood returns to the heart in veins. An arteriovenous fistula is an abnormal connection of an artery and a vein. The blood bypasses the capillaries and tissues, and returns to the heart.

Question 5

what is the purpose of av fistula ligation, and what is a possible diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

AV Malformation?: Depending on the location, an abnormal communication between arteries and veins can have many different symptoms.  The purpose of correction is to alleviate the symptoms.  In most cases, the aim is to stop possible deadly bleeding. 
If this is related to your sudden abdominal pain, then tests should confirm it.
If it is related to headaches and one is found, it should corrected immediately.

Question 6

how long for av fistula to mature?

Accepted Answer

Many factors: There are many things which effect avf maturation. Vein size, location, and type of fistula to name a few. In the best of circumstances, expect 6-8 weeks, but many times a fistula will take longer or need additional procedures to help it mature fully.

Question 7

is an av fistula permanent or temporary?

Accepted Answer

Depends: If this is an aquifers avf from catheterization or other vascular injury it should be repaired and is temporary. If you are referring to a avf for dialysis this is relatively permanent.

Question 8

is it true that av fistula is permanent?

Accepted Answer

Need info: A surgically created fistula for dialysis is not removed unless infected. An av fistula from other sources may need repair. Why do you have an av fistula?

Question 9

can a person have an external av fistula?

Accepted Answer

Yes- not practical: It turns out that the first "fistulas" made years ago when dialysis first started were "external" fistulas. They were actually synthetic/plastic tubes connecting an artery to a vein. There were significant problems with bleeding and infections. These "external" fist las are not used today. If someone needs urgent dialysis they get a catheter. For long term dialysis either a fistula or a graft.

Question 10

can a failed av fistula be reactivated? how?

Accepted Answer

Yes: A failed av fistula can be from either clot or "stenosis".  A thrombectomy can be performed if the clot is new, a stenosis can be dilated with a balloon tipped catheter.  Unfortunately, av fistula failure commonly recurs in the same fistula and usually necessitates the creation of a new one in time.

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Doctor answers about:

Av fistula surgery steps

A member asked:

Is it required to shut down a mature av fistula for surgery on the same side?

A member asked:

Why is my av fistula ugly?

A member asked:

What does an av fistula for dialysis mean?

A member asked:

What happens to your circulation when you have an av fistula?

A member asked:

What is the purpose of av fistula ligation, and what is a possible diagnosis?

A member asked:

How long for av fistula to mature?

A member asked:

Is an av fistula permanent or temporary?

A member asked:

Is it true that av fistula is permanent?

A member asked:

Can a person have an external av fistula?

A member asked:

Can a failed av fistula be reactivated? how?

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