A dialysis vascular access is a special vascular access used to draw out and return sufficient blood during hemodialysis; it connects an artery and a vein and is also called an arteriovenous fistula. It is broadly classified into autologous blood vessels (AVF, connecting one's own artery and vein) and artificial blood vessels (AVG, using a tube made of artificial material).

It is recommended to prepare for hemodialysis at least 3 to 6 months prior to the expected start of treatment. This is because it takes several months for blood vessels to thicken and strengthen after surgery, maturing to the point where they can be used for actual dialysis. If the blood vessels are not mature at the time of dialysis, a catheter must be inserted into the neck area to receive treatment.

Autologous blood vessels directly connect the patient's own vein and artery, resulting in a lower risk of infection and a relatively longer lifespan. Artificial blood vessels involve inserting a special tube when the patient's vascular condition is poor; while they have the advantage of allowing for dialysis relatively quickly within 2 to 3 weeks after surgery, they carry a relatively higher risk of infection and blood clots.

For dialysis, a thick needle is repeatedly inserted into the blood vessels every week, causing the vessel walls to gradually thicken or become damaged, leading to narrowing of the vessels. As blood flow stagnates in these narrowed areas (stenosis), blood clots (thrombi) form and block the vessels, resulting in a limited lifespan.

The arm to be operated on must be protected from injury, and blood pressure measurements, blood draws, or intravenous injections must never be performed on this arm. Additionally, you should avoid lifting heavy objects, using your arm as a pillow, or wearing tight clothing that compresses blood vessels, as these can hinder blood flow.

When a dialysis blood vessel reaches the end of its lifespan and becomes blocked, it must gradually relocate upward (upper arm) closer to the heart and be recreated. Therefore, to preserve the site for future surgery as much as possible, the principle is to begin surgery on the forearm closest to the wrist.

Because artificial blood vessels are foreign materials, blood clots (thrombi) naturally form more easily when they come into contact with blood. In particular, cell proliferation occurs actively at the site where the artificial material connects to the natural blood vessel, causing the vessel to narrow more frequently.

Reduced blood flow significantly lowers dialysis efficiency, causing the dialysis machine's pressure alarm to sound frequently. If left untreated, blood flow will eventually stop, and blood clots will accumulate, completely blocking the dialysis vascular access. A blood clot refers to a mass of solidified blood formed inside a blood vessel. It easily occurs when blood flow slows due to the narrowing of vessels caused by frequent needle punctures, or when blood stagnates as the patient's blood pressure drops.

percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is a non-surgical treatment that widens blood vessels by inserting a thin catheter into the blood vessel and inflating a balloon at the narrowed area, without making a large incision in the skin. If necessary, a stent (metal mesh support) is inserted to prevent the vessel from narrowing again. The procedure takes 30 minutes to 1 hour, and discharge is possible on the same day.

A dialysis vessel aneurysm is a condition in which the wall of a blood vessel weakens and bulges out like a balloon. As the size increases, the risk of rupture rises, and if it ruptures, it can be life-threatening due to massive bleeding. If an aneurysm is discovered, surgical correction (reconstruction after resection of the aneurysm) is required depending on its size and location.

The strong pulse vibration (thrill) usually felt when touching the dialysis blood vessel weakens or is not felt at all. Additionally, if the area around the needle site swells and hurts severely during dialysis, or if the time it takes to stop bleeding after dialysis is noticeably longer than usual, you should suspect a vascular problem.

We operate an integrated center offering a one-stop service ranging from dialysis vascular 'creation surgery' to 'interventional procedures' to clear blockages. Through collaboration between vascular surgeons and radiologists, we provide customized treatment to preserve the dialysis vessels—the patients' precious lifelines—for as long as possible. Emergency treatment and emergency dialysis are also available in one location.

This is an advanced surgical method that simultaneously performs an interventional procedure to open up the blood vessels and a surgical operation to correct external structures in a single setting. By combining the advantages of both procedures and surgeries, complex vascular problems can be resolved quickly and completely under a single anesthesia.

Due to impaired kidney function, dialysis patients may experience difficulties in drug elimination during general anesthesia, which can strain their cardiopulmonary function. Mint Hospital prioritizes patient safety by avoiding general anesthesia and adhering to the principle of using local or regional anesthesia. A board-certified anesthesiologist is stationed on-site to ensure safe anesthesia management.

Every morning and evening, feel the dialysis blood vessel with your fingertips to check if the gentle vibration is maintained, and be careful not to compress the vessel. Even if you do not experience any specific abnormal symptoms, visiting a hospital at least every 3 to 6 months for regular vascular ultrasound checkups is a way to extend the lifespan of your blood vessels.