Dialysis is a life-saving treatment you need when chronic kidney disease leads to kidney failure. But before dialysis can take over for your kidneys, you need to undergo one critical step: dialysis access created by Nelson Menezes, MD. As a highly experienced vascular surgeon, you can count on Dr. Menezes to provide long-lasting dialysis access and ongoing treatment of access complications at Nelson Menezes Vascular Specialist PC, with two locations in Brooklyn Heights and Fort Greene, Brooklyn. To schedule an appointment, call your nearest New York City office today or book an appointment online.
Chronic kidney disease slowly and progressively damages your kidneys until they can’t continue doing their job: filtering your blood to remove wastes and excess fluids.
When you lose 85-90% of kidney function, which is end-stage kidney disease, you need dialysis to take over for your kidneys.
There are two types of kidney dialysis:
Hemodialysis is done by inserting two needles into blood vessels in your arms. Blood leaves your body through one, going through a tube that’s connected to the dialysis machine.
Your blood is filtered inside the machine, then leaves the machine and returns to your body through a tube attached to the other needle. You may go to your local medical center for hemodialysis or use a small machine at home.
This type of dialysis is done by flushing your abdomen with a liquid called dialysate that pulls waste out of your blood. Your abdomen is filled with dialysate, which stays in your tummy for a prescribed length of time so it can extract the most waste. When you flush the fluid out of your abdomen, it carries the waste away.
You can do peritoneal dialysis manually, exchanging fluids multiple times over 24 hours, or use a machine that cycles the dialysate through your abdomen while you sleep.
Before you can start dialysis, you’ll need Dr. Menezes to create dialysis access. By performing a minor surgical procedure, he gives you a long-lasting way to easily allow blood flow during hemodialysis or fluid exchange during peritoneal dialysis.
Patients receiving hemodialysis receive arteriovenous (AV) access with a fistula or graft. Dr. Menezes creates AV access in your arm by connecting an artery to a vein. As a result, the vein thickens and enlarges, making it easier to insert needles and allowing significantly more blood to quickly flow through the dialysis machine.
Dr. Menezes creates an AV fistula by directly connecting the artery and vein, or a graft connects the two blood vessels with a tube. A fistula is preferred because it’s less likely to develop a blood clot or become infected.
Dr. Menezes creates peritoneal access by inserting a soft, flexible catheter that runs from inside your abdomen to a small opening in your abdomen or chest. The catheter stays in place, giving you easy access for fluid exchanges.
After creating dialysis access, Dr. Menezes continues to provide ongoing care, treating complications that may develop.
To schedule an appointment for dialysis access, call Nelson Menezes Vascular Specialist PC or use the online booking feature.
