The Kidneys and Acute Dialysis

The kidneys are organs in the urinary system that filter blood, maintain blood pressure, regulate calcium and phosphate levels, and stimulate red blood cell production. When the kidneys fail, there is a buildup of waste that the body cannot naturally process such as uric acid, urea, and ammonia. Acute Dialysis is a treatment option that helps remove waste and fluid from the blood of patients that have a acute kidney injury or later stages of chronic kidney disease.

Types of Dialysis

There are two types of dialysis: hemodialysis (occurring outside the body) and peritoneal dialysis (occurring inside the body). At Larkin Health Systems, we specialize in hemodialysis treatment which involves: (1) removing blood through a needle and tube generally in the arm, (2) Treating the blood in a dialysis machine and filter called a dialyzer (Artificial Kidney), and (3) returning the filtered blood back into the body through a different needle and tube. Hemodialysis generally occurs 3 times a week, lasting between 3-4 hours at a time.

Hemodialysis Access

To establish a continuous and large volume of access to your blood during hemodialysis our board-certified vascular surgeon performs a minor surgery to create a hemodialysis access. This can take the form of: (1) an arteriovenous fistula, (2) a graft, or (3) a catheter in a major artery.

• An Internal Arterio-Venous (AV) Fistula is created by connecting an artery and vein in your arm. 
  • Can take up to 3 months until ready for use
  • No artificial materials used
  • Lowest rate of infection compared to other options
  • Due to arterial pressure the vein will enlarge overtime allowing greater blood flow
• A Internal Arterio-Venous (AV) Graft is a plastic tube that connects your an artery and vein in your arm.
  • Can take 2-4 weeks until ready for use
  • Higher risk of infection
  • Needles are inserted into the graft

How Does A Dialyzer (Artificial Kidney) Work?

Blood is forced through tens of thousands of hollow tubes which have semipermeable membranes that can filter out waste and excess water through tiny pores. These pores are too small for essential particles in the body such as blood cells and proteins (like hemoglobin) to pass through but large enough for metabolic toxins, urea, and creatinine to pass through. Outside the tubes, dialysate fluid is flowing in the opposite direction, carrying away the waste and excess water.

Symptoms

• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Shortness of breath