Hemodialysis

Hemodialysis is a procedure that will “clean” your
blood for you if your kidneys are not working. It
uses a special filter called a dialyzer, also known
as an artificial kidney. Your blood will pass through
tiny tubes in the dialyzer and it will filter out wastes
that have built up in your blood. Your blood will be returned back to you once it has been cleaned.

Before hemodialysis treatments can begin an access has to be placed. There are three types of accesses:

A graft is a man made tube that connects
an artery and a vein together. It can be used
soon after it is placed, however a graft may have more problems later on.

A fistula is made by joining one of your arteries with one of your veins. This is usually done in the arm, but can also be done in the legs. A surgeon will have to make an incision to do this. A fistula is the preferred access. It takes several weeks before it can be used.

A catheter can be used also. This is a tube that can be placed in your neck, chest or
groin area. If dialysis must be started quickly
a temporary catheter will be placed. There
are also catheters that can be placed for long term use.

Your doctor will help you choose the access that is right for you.

NOW THAT I KNOW ABOUT MY ACCESS, WHAT’S NEXT?

Dialysis will be done in a unit or center where nurses and technicians have been trained to care for you. Dialysis treatments will usually be done three times a week for
about four hours each time. Your first few treatments may
be more frequently but for a shorter period of time. During the treatments you will be connected to a machine so you will not be able to walk around. You may watch TV, read or sleep.

Want to see hemodialysis in animation?

ARE THERE ANY COMPLICATIONS I SHOULD KNOW ABOUT?

During your dialysis treatment you may feel weak, dizzy, nauseated
or have muscle cramps. All of these symptoms should be reported quickly to the dialysis staff. The most common problem seen in hemodialysis patients is trouble with the access. They can become infected or blocked. These situations may require you to go to the hospital for treatment.