Vascular access: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 05:04, 18 February 2025

Vascular Access[edit]

A permacath, a type of central venous catheter used for dialysis.

Vascular access refers to a means of accessing the bloodstream through the blood vessels, typically for medical procedures such as hemodialysis. It is a critical component in the management of patients with chronic kidney disease who require dialysis.

Types of Vascular Access[edit]

There are several types of vascular access used in dialysis:

Central Venous Catheters[edit]

Central venous catheters (CVCs) are often used for short-term access. They are inserted into a large vein, usually in the neck, chest, or groin. A common type of CVC used in dialysis is the Permacath, which is tunneled under the skin to reduce the risk of infection.

Arteriovenous Fistula[edit]

An arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is created by surgically connecting an artery to a vein, usually in the arm. This connection allows for increased blood flow and is considered the best long-term option for dialysis access due to its lower risk of infection and clotting.

Arteriovenous Graft[edit]

An arteriovenous graft (AVG) involves using a synthetic tube to connect an artery to a vein. This option is used when a patient's veins are not suitable for creating a fistula. While AVGs can be used sooner after placement than AVFs, they have a higher risk of infection and clotting.

Complications[edit]

Complications associated with vascular access can include infection, clotting, and stenosis. Regular monitoring and maintenance are essential to ensure the functionality and longevity of the access.

Related Pages[edit]

References[edit]

Vascular access
Radiocephalic fistula
Dialysis process
Arteriovenous graft

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Vascular access''' refers to the method by which healthcare professionals gain access to the [[bloodstream]] of a patient. This is typically achieved through the insertion of a [[catheter]] into a [[vein]] or [[artery]]. Vascular access is a critical component of many medical procedures, including [[dialysis]], [[chemotherapy]], and [[intravenous therapy]].
+== Vascular Access ==
-==Types of Vascular Access==
+[[File:Permacath.jpg|thumb|right|A permacath, a type of central venous catheter used for dialysis.]]
-There are three main types of vascular access: peripheral, central, and arterial.
+'''Vascular access''' refers to a means of accessing the bloodstream through the blood vessels, typically for medical procedures such as [[hemodialysis]]. It is a critical component in the management of patients with [[chronic kidney disease]] who require [[dialysis]].
-===Peripheral Access===
+== Types of Vascular Access ==
-[[Peripheral access]] involves the insertion of a catheter into a small, peripheral vein, typically in the arm or hand. This is the most common type of vascular access and is often used for short-term treatments such as intravenous therapy.
+There are several types of vascular access used in dialysis:
-===Central Access===
+=== Central Venous Catheters ===
-[[Central access]] involves the insertion of a catheter into a large, central vein, typically in the chest or neck. This type of access is used for long-term treatments such as chemotherapy or dialysis. There are several types of central access, including [[central venous catheters]] (CVCs), [[peripherally inserted central catheters]] (PICCs), and [[implanted ports]].
+Central venous catheters (CVCs) are often used for short-term access. They are inserted into a large vein, usually in the neck, chest, or groin. A common type of CVC used in dialysis is the [[Permacath]], which is tunneled under the skin to reduce the risk of infection.
-===Arterial Access===
+=== Arteriovenous Fistula ===
-[[Arterial access]] involves the insertion of a catheter into an artery, typically in the arm or leg. This type of access is used for procedures that require real-time blood pressure monitoring or blood sampling.
+[[File:Radiocephalic_fistula.svg|thumb|right|Diagram of a radiocephalic arteriovenous fistula.]]
-==Complications==
+An [[arteriovenous fistula]] (AVF) is created by surgically connecting an artery to a vein, usually in the arm. This connection allows for increased blood flow and is considered the best long-term option for dialysis access due to its lower risk of infection and clotting.
-While vascular access is a routine part of many medical procedures, it is not without risk. Complications can include [[infection]], [[thrombosis]], and [[bleeding]]. The risk of complications can be reduced through proper [[catheter care]] and [[infection control]] practices.
+=== Arteriovenous Graft ===
-==See Also==
+[[File:Blausen_0050_ArteriovenousGraft.png|thumb|right|Illustration of an arteriovenous graft.]]
+An [[arteriovenous graft]] (AVG) involves using a synthetic tube to connect an artery to a vein. This option is used when a patient's veins are not suitable for creating a fistula. While AVGs can be used sooner after placement than AVFs, they have a higher risk of infection and clotting.
+== Complications ==
+Complications associated with vascular access can include infection, clotting, and stenosis. Regular monitoring and maintenance are essential to ensure the functionality and longevity of the access.
+== Related Pages ==
-* [[Intravenous therapy]]
 * [[Dialysis]]
-* [[Chemotherapy]]
+* [[Chronic kidney disease]]
-* [[Catheter]]
+* [[Hemodialysis]]
+== References ==
+{{Reflist}}
 [[Category:Medical procedures]]
+[[Category:Nephrology]]
 [[Category:Vascular surgery]]
-{{medicine-stub}}
+<gallery>
+File:Permacath.jpg|Vascular access
+File:Radiocephalic_fistula.svg|Radiocephalic fistula
+File:Blausen_0313_Dialysis.png|Dialysis process
+File:Blausen_0050_ArteriovenousGraft.png|Arteriovenous graft
+</gallery>