Dialysis Access Problems & Treatment
Catheters, fistulas and grafts, procedures, stenosis, clots, aneurysms, infection, swollen or numb hands, and more
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[Journal Review] Two-Year Follow-Up Results of the WavelinQ Endovascular AV Fistula
What is the WavelinQ endoAVF? An endovascular arteriovenous fistula (endoAVF) is created from inside the vessel with a catheter, using radiofrequency energy to form a connection between an artery and a vein, without the larger incision…
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Don’t Leave a Dialysis Catheter in Too Long: Evaluate Early for a Switch to a Fistula (AVF)
A dialysis catheter in the neck is not an ideal long-term access. International kidney guidelines recommend that, whenever circumstances allow, patients be evaluated early for a switch to their own blood vessels — an arteriovenous fistula…
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Temporary Dialysis Access: Double-Lumen vs Tunneled Cuffed Catheters
When a patient needs urgent dialysis and has no long-term access (an arteriovenous fistula or graft) ready to use, a catheter-type access is the quick bridge. The two common types are the double-lumen catheter and the…
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Creating a Dialysis Graft (AVG): Candidates, Surgical Approach and Post-Operative Care
Creating an arteriovenous graft (AVG) for dialysis is an alternative way of building dialysis access when a patient’s own vessels are not suitable for a native arteriovenous fistula (AVF). A synthetic graft is used to connect…
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Access Stenosis: What Should You Do? Maintenance and Treatment Every Dialysis Patient Should Know
The key principle for dealing with a narrowed dialysis access is “detect early, treat early.” As soon as the thrill weakens, or there is swelling, pain or difficulty drawing blood, return for assessment promptly. Most cases…
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Taiwan’s First VasQ Procedure Completed Smoothly by Dr. Su’s Team: New Steps in Care, Walking Alongside Patients
On June 10, 2026, Dr. Su’s team successfully completed the first VasQ external vascular support procedure in Taiwan, and two weeks later completed the team’s second VasQ procedure. For the team, after a period of preparation…
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VasQ Improves Vessel Maturation: A Singapore Study
For patients with end-stage kidney disease who need long-term hemodialysis, the vessels are a “lifeline.” To make sure dialysis runs smoothly, physicians usually connect the patient’s artery and vein surgically to create a native arteriovenous fistula…
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Bovine Pericardium for Dialysis Access Reconstruction: An International Case
Recently, a patient asked at a follow-up visit about vessel reconstruction with bovine pericardium. A foreign case study published last year in the journal Kidney and Dialysis described using a biological material, bovine pericardium (xenograft/heterograft: a…
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30-Minute Non-Invasive Leg Vascular Assessment
Don’t let blocked vessels cause big problems! A 30-minute in-depth check-up for your legs Do your legs often ache, feel numb, heavy or cold? Do you get tired after walking a short distance and need to…
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Cold Fingers? Checking Palm Circulation with the Barbeau Test
A little everyday story: cold palms in winter Imagine a cold winter night. Xiao Ming rides his scooter home, and his hands turn pale and stiff from the cold. He clenches his fists hard and then…
