Vascular access: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 00:02, 10 February 2025

Vascular Access

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

There are several types of vascular access used in dialysis:

Central Venous Catheters

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

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

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

References

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-'''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}}