A Review of the Current Methods Used for Access to the Circulation for Hemodialysis

Abstract

This review covers the techniques devised to obtain repeated access to the blood stream for hemodialysis without vascular sacrifice. The major alternatives for long-term dialysis are external Teflon-silastic shunts, internal arteriovenous fistulas, or their modifications. Percutaneous catheterization techniques are usually used when few dialyses are anticipated. All available procedures have significant problems associated with their creation and maintenance.