Percutaneous AV Fistula Creation
Percutaneous Fistula Creation is a minimally invasive outpatient option for patients with kidney disease nearing or already on dialysis. The minimally invasive procedure is an alternative to surgical fistula creations and is created through a small hole in the skin without surgical incisions. Through the hole, the artery and vein are fused together to form a dialysis access fistula.
PROCEDURE
A Vascular & Interventional Radiologist will use ultrasound guidance to find a superficial (shallow) vein in the upper forearm and create a small puncture into the vein and then the artery. A small wire is inserted allowing delivery of a special device which pulls the walls of the vein and artery together and thermal energy is activated to finalize the connection and create the fistula.
To determine if you are the right candidate for Percutaneous AV Fistula Creation, speak to your dialysis team for more information.
