Angioplasty and Stent Procedures

In the event that you are a dialysis patient using an AV fistula or graft as your access, it is possible that over time your AV fistula or graft may narrow or clot and require an interventional surgery to improve or restore the blood flow so that you can continue to receive dialysis.

Our nephrologist may decide to refer you to vascular care surgeon for assessment if you are experiencing access issues. To guarantee you leave the facility with an access that is fully functional, the vascular specialist will there evaluate whether you require an interventional procedure, such as angioplasty.

Benefits of Angioplasty

Treating your dysfunctional access with angioplasty has many benefits:

Blood flow to your AV fistula or graft is restored.

Minimal or no disruption in your normal dialysis schedule

No surgery is required – a small skin puncture is made which will not require stitches

General anaesthesia is not required

No hospital stay is required

Return to daily activities shortly after your procedure

A small risk of infection exists during any surgery that involves penetrating the skin. With angioplasty, serious problems are infrequent. To learn about all the advantages and risks associated with these procedures, be sure to seek medical advice.

In certain cases, angioplasty is insufficient, and a stent is required to help maintain the channel open.

What is Angioplasty?

Angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure during which a small balloon catheter will be threaded through your blood vessel to the access. First, doctor will give you medication to keep you calm and relaxed, and a local anaesthetic (numbing drug) will be injected into the point where access will be obtained to your fistula or graft.

After that, doctor will use fluoroscopy, a continuous x-ray imaging technology, to implant a balloon catheter in order to reach the part of the access where the obstruction or narrowing lies. When this occurs, the balloon is momentarily inflated to widen the barrier or narrowing. To determine whether the blood flow through the treated area has improved, doctor will utilise x-ray imaging. Once the vessel has been sufficiently enlarged, the catheter is removed and the procedure is complete.

You can typically leave the hospital shortly after having an angioplasty. Your heart rate, blood pressure, and access site will all be examined for bleeding or swelling before you depart. You'll be given instructions to desist from strenuous exercise and lifting anything heavy for one day. You may be prescribed painkillers and blood thinners, so be careful to follow your doctor's instructions.

What is a Stent?

A stent is a tiny, wire-mesh tube that stretches to hold open the channel and restore appropriate blood flow through the AV fistula or graft. Stents are implanted using a catheter and remain there indefinitely. When angioplasty is unable to maintain the access, stents are used.

Angioplasty and Stent Procedures