What is a dialysis access?
A dialysis access allows blood to be removed from the patient, sent to the dialyzer, and then returned to the patient.
The minimum blood flow rate that should be delivered is 300 mL/min; thus, peripheral intravenous (IV) lines, Hickman catheters, and peripherally inserted central catheter lines cannot be used for this purpose because none of these devices can deliver a high blood flow rate.
There are three different types of vascular access that can be used for hemodialysis: an arteriovenous (AV) fistula, a synthetic graft, or a catheter. The preferred type of vascular access is an AV fistula.
