ADMed Specialist Clinic provides the following access services for patients who need or receive haemodialysis.
A vascular access is the route that lets blood leave your body and return to it during dialysis. The right choice depends on your health, your blood vessels and how soon you need treatment. Our team can explain your options and arrange the procedure at the clinic, subject to clinical assessment.
Our access procedures include:
Central Venous Catheter (CVC) insertion
A central venous catheter is a soft tube placed into a large vein, usually in the neck, so that blood can be taken to the dialysis machine and returned. It can be used for dialysis straight away, which makes it useful when treatment is needed urgently.
Catheters are generally used for a limited time, for example while a fistula or graft is healing, or when other forms of access are not possible. Because the tube sits in a large vein, it needs to be kept clean and dry and checked regularly to lower the risk of infection.
Read our patient guide to the dialysis catheter →
AV Fistula (AVF) creation
An AV fistula is made by a small operation that joins an artery to a vein, usually in the arm. The extra blood flow makes the vein larger and stronger, so that dialysis needles can be placed in it regularly and blood can flow fast enough for effective treatment.
A fistula needs several weeks to mature before it can be used, so it is best planned well before dialysis is due to start. Compared with a catheter or a graft, a fistula generally lasts longer and carries a lower risk of infection and clotting, which is why it is often called the lifeline of a dialysis patient.
After the operation, a fistula should be reviewed regularly to make sure it keeps working well.
Read our patient guide to the AV fistula →
AV Graft (AVG) creation
An AV graft works in a similar way to a fistula, but a soft artificial tube, called a graft, is used to connect the artery and the vein. The dialysis needles are placed into the graft.
A graft may be considered when a patient's own blood vessels are not suitable for a fistula. Like a fistula, it needs time to heal before use and regular follow-up.
Read our patient guide to the AV graft →
Planning your access with us
If you are starting dialysis, please bring your earlier test results, any referral letter from your doctor and a list of the medicines you take, and speak to us early, as planning ahead gives you more choice.
Learn more about our Dialysis Treatment service →
When should I book?
Consider booking a consultation if you have:
- Your doctor has said you may need dialysis
- You are already on dialysis and need a new or better access
- Your current access is not working well
- You would like to understand the difference between a catheter, a fistula and a graft
Emergency? Fever, redness, swelling, severe pain or bleeding at a catheter, fistula or graft site needs urgent attention. Go to the nearest hospital or clinic.
This page gives general information and does not replace advice from a doctor. To discuss your own situation, please book a consultation.