Blood is filtered through hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis processes.
Hemodialysis – This procedure, performed several times a week by medical professionals, uses a manmade filter or dialyzer in a machine to clean the blood. The blood that goes through the dialyzer is drawn and returned from a special blood vessel called an access.
Hemodialysis uses two types of access – a fistula or a graft.
A fistula is created by connecting a vein in the arm to a nearby artery. The vein enlarges and allows easy access. The challenge is that it may be weeks or months before the fistula is ready to be used for dialysis access.
A graft is a manmade tubing that is sewn between an artery and a vein, usually in the arm, allowing blood to flow rapidly. Grafts are generally ready for use in dialysis in just a few weeks.
One characteristic of a hemodialysis access is a thrill. The large blood volume passing quickly through the access can be felt through the skin. It feels like a vibration. If for some reason you can’t feel the thrill, call Vascular Tyler right away.
Peritoneal Dialysis – This treatment uses a natural peritoneal membrane that lines the abdominal cavity. Dialysate solution fills the cavity through a catheter that is often permanently placed near the belly button. The process of draining the solution through the catheter several times a day and replacing it with fresh dialysate is called the exchange.
Peritoneal dialysis (PD) exchanges can be done at home or work and takes approximately 30 minutes. Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) is done every four to six hours during the day, and continuous cyclic peritoneal dialysis (CCPD) is performed at night while you sleep using a machine called a cycler.
