Creating a way for your blood to reach a dialysis machine
If you have kidney failure, you’ll need dialysis therapy to clean and filter your blood. A surgically created vascular access allows blood to travel through the dialysis machine and return to the body.
The surgeons in our Vascular and Endovascular Program partner with kidney specialists (nephrologists) to provide you with the best options available. If at some point your dialysis access point becomes narrowed or clogged, they also can help resume normal blood flow.
What types of vascular access are available?
Your doctor will work with you to find the type of vascular access that will be most effective for your care. Potential options include:
-
Catheter access: Immediate or temporary access can be created using two plastic tubes connected to blood vessels in your neck or groin. Catheters have the highest rate of infection and are not often used for long-term dialysis.
-
Dialysis fistula: This is formed by connecting an artery to a vein in the arm. The connection to the artery causes the vein to grow over time and have a higher blood flow for dialysis. This type of access has the lowest rate of infection and can provide good blood flow for many years.
-
Dialysis graft: Tubing is used to connect an artery to a vein, often in the arm. The graft allows for dialysis to be performed sooner than with a fistula, but the rate of infection is higher because the access is not formed using natural tissue.
Tests
Fluoroscopy
A fluoroscopy is an imaging technique that uses a continuous X-ray beam passed through the body to create real-time, moving images of your internal structures.
Our providers
Location: Change location Enter your location
-
Michael Alan Abramson, MD
Vascular Interventional Radiology & Interventional Radiology
-
Vanessa R. Banks-Gonzales, ACNP-BC, MSN
Vascular Surgery
-
Suzanne M Benn, FNPBC, MSN
Vascular Surgery
-
Donna Carol Buckley, MD
Vascular Interventional Radiology
-
Kristin Crawley, ACNP-BC, BSN, MSN
Vascular Surgery
-
Yelena Game, PA
Vascular Surgery
-
Erin M. Hanlon, MPAS, PA
Vascular Surgery
-
John Harvey, MBCHB, MD
Vascular Surgery
-
Lucy B Kupersmith, MD
Vascular Surgery
-
Wendy S. Lobo, AGACNP-BC, DNP, MBA, MSN
Vascular Surgery
-
Krystal C. Maloni, MD
Vascular Surgery
-
Donna Yvonne Norris, FNPBC, MSN
Vascular Surgery
-
Mark O'Brien Peeler, MD
Vascular Surgery
-
Kyle B. Reynolds, MD
Vascular Surgery
-
Lauren M. Storey, NP
Vascular Surgery
-
Naren Gupta, MD
Vascular Surgery
Show All
Our locations
Distance from Change locationEnter your location
MedStar Health: Vascular Surgery at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center
9101 Franklin Square Dr. MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center Suite 212 Baltimore, MD 21237
443-777-1901
MedStar Health: Vascular Surgery at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital - Calvert Street Building
3300 North Calvert Street First Floor Baltimore, MD 21218
410-261-8226
MedStar Health: Vascular Surgery at MedStar Washington Hospital Center - Physician Office Building
106 Irving Street NW Physician Office Bldg. Suite 3150 North Tower Washington, DC 20010
202-877-0456
MedStar Health: Vascular Surgery at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
3800 Reservoir Road Northwest Pasquerilla Healthcare Center Building 4 Washington, DC 20007
877-367-2434
MedStar Health: Vascular Surgery at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center
18101 Prince Philip Drive Suite 5200 Olney, MD 20832
410-657-1947
MedStar Health: Vascular Surgery at MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center
7503 Surratts Road Clinton, MD 20735
301-877-5637
MedStar Health: Vascular Surgery at MedStar St. Mary's Hospital
25500 Point Lookout Road Ste 200 Leonardtown, MD 20650
240-434-4022
MedStar Health: Vascular Surgery at MedStar Harbor Hospital
3001 South Hanover Street Suite 216 Baltimore, MD 21225
410-261-8226
Insurance
MedStar Health accepts most major health insurance plans. If you are uncertain as to whether your individual health insurance plan is accepted at MedStar Health, please call your insurance company.