An atrioventricular fistula is an abnormal connection between a vein and an artery that can be created surgically for kidney dialysis patients. It can also occur due to congenital anomalies, arterial disease, or injuries. The surgically created fistula can be used for several years without replacement and is connected to the dialysis machine. It typically takes one to three months to heal before use. Harmful AV fistulas can result from injuries or involve major arteries, requiring surgical correction.
An atrioventricular fistula is a type of connection created between a vein and an artery. This abnormal connection increases the diameter of a blood vessel and can alter the way blood flows through the body. It is often created surgically in patients undergoing kidney dialysis treatments to ensure access to necessary blood vessels and provide a site to receive purified blood. However, it can occur due to a congenital anomaly, due to arterial disease, or as a result of injuries such as gunshot wounds and stabbing wounds.
One of the main advantages of a surgically created AV fistula is that it can be used for several years in patients with chronic kidney disease without needing replacement. During hemodialysis, blood is removed from blood vessels, purified, and then returned to the veins. The fistula is connected to the dialysis machine and blood flows out and back to the fistula site during treatment. The most common site for an AV fistula used in dialysis is the forearm. By connecting an artery with a vein, the resulting blood vessel is large enough to handle larger volumes of blood.
After an AV fistula has been surgically created for a kidney patient, it typically takes one to three months before it can be used for dialysis treatment. The site must be able to heal adequately in order to tolerate the pressure of the blood flow. Patients may not be allowed to drive or lift heavy weights while the fistula heals. Patients can be trained to monitor their fistulas and recognize signs of potential problems, such as blood clots.
Some types of AV fistulas can be harmful to a person’s health rather than beneficial, and this is typically the case when the fistula results from an injury or involves a major artery in the body. For example, if you create a fistula involving part of the aorta, your heart may have to work harder to ensure that enough blood reaches all of the necessary tissues. Some large congenital fistulas may require surgical correction, depending on their location and the patient’s general health. In many cases, blood will travel from an artery directly to a vein, instead of entering capillaries as is the expected path of normal blood flow. This can be dangerous because many tissues get their blood supply from tiny capillaries, and insufficient blood flow can result in tissue death.
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