Dialysis access intervention: Techniques for the interventional cardiologist

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Nephrology
• Vascular Access

Background:

• Patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) rely on hemodialysis accesses for survival.
• Malfunctioning dialysis accesses can lead to missed treatments and complications.
• Interventional nephrologists currently manage most routine access procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the crucial role of interventional cardiologists in managing malfunctioning hemodialysis accesses.
• To define the collaborative potential between interventional cardiologists and nephrologists for ESKD patient care.
• To review the pathophysiology and catheter-based treatment of dialysis access failure.

Main Methods:

• Review of the pathophysiology of dialysis access failure.
• Illustration of catheter-based treatment approaches.
• Discussion of collaborative care models between cardiology and nephrology.

Main Results:

• Interventional cardiologists can address urgent/emergent access issues outside routine schedules.
• Collaboration ensures timely treatment, preventing missed hemodialysis sessions.
• Catheter-based interventions offer effective solutions for access malfunction.

Conclusions:

• Interventional cardiologists are vital in managing complex dialysis access problems in ESKD patients.
• Collaborative efforts enhance patient care by bridging gaps in access management.
• Timely intervention by interventional cardiologists prevents treatment interruption and catheterization.