Dialysis Access Procedures with Precision and Compassion
Whether you're preparing to begin dialysis therapy or managing long-term vascular access, our experienced team provides specialized outpatient dialysis access procedures to keep your treatments on track—with minimal disruption, maximum safety, and same day or next day appointments.
Our Services
We perform a full range of dialysis access procedures in a Joint Commission–accredited ambulatory surgical center. Our care team is focused entirely on dialysis lines, fistulas, grafts, and catheters, committed to delivering safe, efficient, and compassionate support.
Diagnostic Fistulagram (Angiogram)
A fistulagram is a diagnostic imaging test used to evaluate the function of your dialysis access. We insert a small catheter into the fistula or graft and inject a contrast dye under X-ray (fluoroscopy) guidance. This allows us to visualize blood flow and identify stenosis (narrowing), blockages, or other issues that may affect dialysis efficiency.
Angioplasty and Stent Placement
Angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure used to open narrowed areas in a dialysis access line. A small balloon is guided to the site of narrowing and inflated to improve blood flow. If needed, we may place a stent to keep the vessel open. These procedures are often performed immediately after a diagnostic fistulagram if problems like dialysis graft occlusion are found.
Access Declotting (Thrombectomy)
If your dialysis fistula, graft, or catheter becomes blocked by a blood clot, we can often restore flow using a minimally invasive thrombectomy. Guided by imaging, we use clot-dissolving medications and specialized tools to remove the clot and then treat the underlying stenosis with angioplasty to help prevent recurrence. This is typically done as an outpatient procedure.
Fistula Maturation Monitoring
After an arteriovenous (AV) fistula is created, it needs time to strengthen and enlarge (mature) before it can be used for dialysis. Our team closely monitors your dialysis fistula maturation using physical exams and ultrasound to ensure it’s developing properly. If needed, we perform minor procedures to assist the maturation process and reduce the risk of fistula complications.
Dialysis Catheter Placement, Removal, and Exchange
When a fistula or graft isn’t ready or available, a dialysis catheter may be placed as a temporary access. We perform catheter placements, exchanges, and removals under sterile conditions with image guidance. These central venous catheters are usually placed in the neck or chest (dialysis line in chest or tube in neck). Our goal is to transition patients to a permanent access as soon as safely possible, since catheters have a higher risk of infection and malfunction.
Pre-Operative Vascular Mapping
Before a permanent access like a fistula or graft for dialysis is created, we perform vascular mapping with ultrasound to evaluate your veins and arteries. This helps surgeons select the best site for placement and increases the chances of long-term success. The test is painless, noninvasive, and typically performed on an outpatient basis.
Ultrasound Flow Studies
Doppler ultrasound checks how well blood is flowing through your dialysis access site, helping detect narrowing or thrombosis early, often before complications interrupt your treatments. It’s commonly used if there are concerns about access function or to monitor a new fistula during maturation.
How to Schedule a Procedure
We work closely with local nephrologists, dialysis clinics, and vascular surgeons. To get started, ask your doctor or dialysis provider for a referral to our center—or simply call us and schedule yourself.
