A tunneled dialysis catheter (TDC) is plastic tube placed into a central vein of the body; usually the internal jugular vein in the neck, which allows for blood to be pulled filtered through a dialysis machine, and finally returned to the body.

This is done under local anesthesia and moderate sedation by inserting the catheter through the skin of the upper chest, tunneling it to the neck area and finally placing it inside the internal jugular vein.

This is a short procedure, and patients can be dialyzed the same day. This is a good option for short term access.

Patients with advanced renal failure commonly undergo creation of an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) or and arteriovenous graft (AVG) just prior to needing dialysis or soon after. An AVF is a direct vascular connection between an artery and vein of the arm or leg. An arteriovenous graft (AVG) is when a connection between an artery and vein of the arm or leg is made by implanting a plastic tube between them. These connections create a circuit of blood that circulates blood rapidly to and from the heart. The dialysis machine cannulas or needles are introduced into the arterial and venous side of the AVF or AVG circuit to allow the blood to be pulled, filtered, and then returned to the body.

We are experts in balloon maturation, angioplasty, stenting and declot procedures. These procedures help with fistula maturation, resolution of narrowed or obstructed areas, and removal of blood clots that may hinder the function of your vascular access.

We offer the percutaneous AVF (PAVF) procedure, a new FDA approved, minimally invasive technique for creating a connection between an artery and vein in the arm for dialysis access. The PAVF procedure is performed as an outpatient procedure and avoids the large incisions and resulting scars seen with surgical AVF. PAVF have been shown to mature faster than the surgical AVF, usually within 60 days, and require less maintenance procedures to ensure function.