What is a dialysis shunt?
Our kidney serves as the detoxification organ of the body. When the kidneys fail to function properly, such as kidney failure, substances such as urea cannot be washed out of the blood sufficiently and poisoning can occur. In order to prevent this, a blood wash (dialysis) is performed.
The dialysis shunt serves as a permanent access to the vascular system. It represents a short circuit between artery and vein. Due to the higher pressure in the artery, the connected vein expands, there is a higher blood flow and the vein is easier to puncture. In most cases, dialysis shunts are placed in the area of the elbow or forearm.
Indications
When the detoxification function of the kidney is no longer sufficient, toxins accumulate in the blood. In order to wash these toxins out of the blood, so-called renal replacement procedures must be used. This also includes blood washing (dialysis). If dialysis is expected to be necessary over a longer period of time, a dialysis shunt is the best method of vascular access. Alternative accesses such as dialysis catheters are more suitable for short-term dialysis due to the increased risk of infection and reduced blood flow.
Preparations for placing a dialysis shunt
If the indication for the installation of a dialysis shunt has been established, a detailed patient interview (anamnesis) is first of all conducted. Here it is important to ask about basic diseases of the patient such as diabetes mellitus, arteriosclerosis and also diseases that affect the heart. Subsequently, the examination of the extremity to which the shunt is to be attached takes place.
Here, attention is paid to whether scars or injuries are present. These can provide indications of any anomalies in the vascular system. The next step is an examination of the vascular system by palpation of pulses and an ultrasound of the arteries. A blood pressure measurement on both arms and special vein function tests are performed. All these examinations are used to find a suitable vein and artery and to continue to ensure a sufficient blood flow in the operated arm after the operation.
All articles in this series:
