Complications of dialysis access: a six-year study
Article Abstract:
Patients with chronic kidney failure may require dialysis. This treatment replaces kidney function by removing impurities or wastes from the blood. Access to the circulation is gained by the creation of an arteriovenous fistula (abnormal connection of the two vascular systems) in which two tubes are placed through the skin; one is positioned inside a large vein and the other inside a large artery. The blood is then circulated through semipermeable tubes that are bathed by solutions that remove unwanted materials. Complications of dialysis access can be life-threatening, and an examination of complications occurring over a six-year period was undertaken. There were 158 access procedures performed on 77 patients. The most common complications of patients undergoing chronic dialysis were infection (10 percent) and thrombosis, clot formation, (32 percent). These findings are similar to the rate of complications found in patients who undergo vascular surgery. Because of the need for repeated needle sticks, patients with kidney failure seem to be at increased risk for infection; this may be a result of compromise of the immune system. Infection can be eliminated only by removal of the entire graft. Thrombosis is not caused by the stagnation of blood as a result of poor vascular run off, or progression of atherosclerotic disease (cholesterol plaque formation on the inner layer of the artery wall), which characterizes vascular surgery patients. Thrombosis in dialysis patients may be due to the hemodynamics of the arteriovenous fistula with its high flow pressures. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: American Journal of Surgery
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-9610
Year: 1991
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Dialysis Patients' Preferences for Family-Based Advance Care Planning
Article Abstract:
Many patients prefer not to include doctors in advance care planning. Advance care planning includes choosing a surrogate decision-maker for end-of-life decisions and stating care preferences ahead of time. Interviews with 400 hemodialysis patients showed that the patients were much more likely to discuss end-of-life issues with family members than with doctors. Most wanted family members to have end-of-life decision-making authority in the event of their own incapacity.
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 1999
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Computer hackers access 7,000 patient files
Article Abstract:
Hackers at the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis gained unauthorized access to one computer at the universityEs Center for Sleep Disorders that contained important information relating to 7,000 patients. This break-in at the university serves as a call to adequately protect patient information against possible identity.
Publication Name: American Medical News
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0001-1843
Year: 2003
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Application of caring theory in primary care: a challenge for advanced practice. Professional practice leader: a transformational role that addresses human diversity
- Abstracts: Implications of prosthetic valve implantation: an 8-year follow-up of patients with porcine bioprostheses. Pituitary stalk and ectopic hyperintense T(sub 1) signal on magnetic resonance imaging: implications for anterior pituitary dysfunction
- Abstracts: Is focal chronic autoimmune thyroiditis an age-related disease? Differences in incidence and severity between Japanese and British
- Abstracts: Zoonotic potential of giardiasis in domestic ruminants. The Cycle of Violence: Revisited 6 Years Later
- Abstracts: In situ human papillomavirus (HPV) genotyping of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in South African and British patients: evidence for putative HPV integration. part 2