Connecting an artery to a vein to create good blood flow for dialysis treatments
Dialysis cleans and filters your blood in a machine that is connected to your blood vessels with two tubes. One method used to help your blood to flow freely through the tubes is to create a fistula.
A fistula is created by surgically attaching a vein to an artery, which allows the vein to enlarge and become thicker, like an artery. This type of access is known to have fewer complications and last longer than catheters or grafts.
Our Vascular and Endovascular Program allows surgeons to work with kidney specialists to determine the best dialysis access for your unique and complex conditions. Our doctors work at multiple locations, meaning you can get treatment close to home.
Procedure
You may be asked to not eat or drink before the surgery. If you are taking any medications, ask your doctor if you should take them the day of your procedure. You will receive a sedative and a local anesthetic, but you likely will not require general anesthesia.
Your doctor will make a small incision in your arm and connect a portion of your artery to a vein. The incision will be closed and covered with a bandage. You will be taken to a recovery area and monitored for several hours.
You will likely be able to return home the day of the procedure, but someone will need to drive you. The fistula may take several weeks to fully enlarge, and your doctor may recommend special exercises to increase blood flow.
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
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Michael Alan Abramson, MD
Vascular Interventional Radiology & Interventional Radiology
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Vanessa R. Banks-Gonzales, ACNP-BC, MSN
Vascular Surgery
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Suzanne M Benn, FNPBC, MSN
Vascular Surgery
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Donna Carol Buckley, MD
Vascular Interventional Radiology
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Kristin Crawley, ACNP-BC, BSN, MSN
Vascular Surgery
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Yelena Game, PA
Vascular Surgery
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Erin M. Hanlon, MPAS, PA
Vascular Surgery
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John Harvey, MBCHB, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Lucy B Kupersmith, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Wendy S. Lobo, AGACNP-BC, DNP, MBA, MSN
Vascular Surgery
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Krystal C. Maloni, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Brittany Celina Montgomery, AGACNP-BC, MSN
Vascular Surgery
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Donna Yvonne Norris, FNPBC, MSN
Vascular Surgery
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Mark O'Brien Peeler, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Kyle B. Reynolds, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Naren Gupta, MD
Vascular Surgery
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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 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 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 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.