Renal failure used to be a fatal disease. She is now being treated with a blood purification procedure called hemodialysis. This method is used in cases of acute and chronic stages of pathology. A procedure is being performed with an apparatus called an "artificial kidney." During the process, toxic components of the metabolism, such as urea, creatine and others, are eliminated. Water and electrolyte balance are also normalized.
Further in the article we will consider how the procedure is carried out. From the material you will find out what the fistula is for, what it is, what significance it has in the implementation of manipulations.
Procedure
So fistula - what is it? The device "artificial kidney" is connected to the bloodstream of the patient through vascular access, which was created by the surgeon. It is called so: arteriovenous fistula (AVF). To connect the device, punctures are made with special needles connected to the dialyzer using a tube system. Minimum hemodialysis is prescribed for 12 hours a week, that is, 3 times for 4 hours. Such a procedure can last for decades. It allows you to partially replace the renal function and allows a person to maintain working capacity and maintain a full life.
Destination
Using venous access, chronic dialysis can be performed. Thanks to him, a place is created for the infusion and withdrawal of a large volume of blood. During the operation, veins and arteries are stitched together to create a single vessel with thick walls. In addition, good blood flow forms in it, which is located superficially, which makes it easy to puncture and carry out the procedure. Most often, a fistula for hemodialysis is formed on the arm. This is due to the fact that there are large vessels with good blood flow. However, they are located deep, which creates difficulties for puncture. Veins, on the contrary, pass along the surface, but they have too thin walls. That is why the best option is to stitch these vessels. In this case, hemodialysis gives the highest result. Puncture is carried out with special needles, then the device is connected to the bloodstream through the AVF.
Benefits
To create it does not require artificial materials. After all, a fistula - what is it? This is a formation made up of human tissues. The absence of artificial inclusions allows you to protect the arteriovenous fistula from infectious complications or thrombosis. It is located immediately under the skin. The method of hemodialysis is preferred by many patients, since it gives a result for a long time. Today fistula - what is it? For many professionals and patients, this is the best way to access the bloodstream. Also in its creation, new methods have appeared, methods of puncture and preservation of blood vessels are being improved.
Negative points
The main disadvantage of fistula is its long maturation, which is from one and a half months or more. Sometimes the goal is not achieved at all. The so-called early failure occurs for the following reasons:
1. The flow of small blood flow into the formation.
2. The lack of blood arterialization due to a decrease in its pressure in the lateral veins, which depart from the fistula.
3. The vessel selected for fistula formation is less than 2 mm.
4. The formation of stenosis between the entrance to the fistula and the anastomosis.
Education preservation
It is recommended to take care of the fistula before its formation. For this, it is necessary to protect the vessels of the forearm from unnecessary injections. This will enable the arteries and veins to be in a developed state before creating a fistula.
Dialysis is performed with an already formed and mature fistula. This will ensure the duration of its work for decades. However, there are patients in whom this access tends to be exhausted earlier (after 2 years).
When the fistula for hemodialysis is at the stage of its ripening, you should protect your hand from excessive loads. This applies to the postoperative period (before removal of sutures). Thanks to this, edema after surgery will be much faster. It is necessary to exclude physical exercises (barbell, push-ups and others). In addition, it is recommended to dry the fistula every day. It is also advised to listen to her noise, it should be constantly the same. In the event that any changes occur, consult a doctor. When donating blood for analysis, it is taken from a non-fistula hand. Tightening the formation is not recommended. In addition, blood pressure cannot be measured on this arm and care should be taken not to allow it to drop sharply.
Pulmonary fistula
It should be said that this education does not always benefit the body. So, for example, the presence of pulmonary fistula in the coronary system can cause serious problems. Since a certain amount of blood from the coronary arteries rushes through the fistula to the pulmonary artery, this causes a depletion of blood flow, resulting in a deficiency of nutrient compounds and oxygen in the heart muscle.