Abstract
Complications related to hemodialysis vascular access continue to have a major impact
on morbidity and mortality. Vascular access dysfunction is the single most important
factor that determines the quality of dialysis treatment. Vascular access stenosis
is a common complication that develops in a great majority of patients with an arteriovenous
access and leads to access dysfunction. By restricting luminal diameter, this complication
leads to a reduction in blood flow and places the access at risk for thrombosis. Similarly,
the development of catheter-related fibroepithelial sheath also causes catheter dysfunction
with its detrimental effects on blood flow. In this article, we discuss the most common
complications associated with dialysis access and provide therapeutic options to manage
these problems.
Keywords
arteriovenous access - dialysis catheter - hemodialysis
