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Dialysis fistuloplasty
Keeping a lifeline open.
Fistuloplasty reopens a narrowed or clotted dialysis fistula or graft from inside, using a balloon through a needle puncture, so dialysis can continue on the same access.
What patients call it
Fixing a blocked dialysis fistula
At a glance
- What it does
- Keeping a lifeline open.
- Used for
- Poor flow in a dialysis fistula · Clotted fistula or graft · Central vein stenosis
- How it is done
- Dialysis flows have fallen. A stenosis is found in the outflow vein. → The fistula itself is punctured and crossed with a wire. → A high-pressure balloon is inflated across the narrowing.
- Recovery
- Procedure: Day 0 - High-pressure balloon inflation. Light activity same day. · Day 1: Discharged and back to work. Immediate use for dialysis often possible.
Used for
- — Poor flow in a dialysis fistula
- — Clotted fistula or graft
- — Central vein stenosis
Symptoms & Causes
Symptoms
- — Decreased flow for dialysis
- — High venous pressures
Common Causes
- — Stenosis
- — Clot
Diagnosis & Treatment
How it is diagnosed
- — Physical exam (thrill)
- — Ultrasound
The Procedure
- — Angioplasty
- — Stenting
Recovery & Benefits
- Procedure: Day 0 - High-pressure balloon inflation. Light activity same day.
- Day 1: Discharged and back to work. Immediate use for dialysis often possible.
- 1 Week: Routine normal lifestyle resume.
Procedure sequence
- 01
Dialysis flows have fallen. A stenosis is found in the outflow vein.
- 02
The fistula itself is punctured and crossed with a wire.
- 03
A high-pressure balloon is inflated across the narrowing.
- 04
The thrill returns under the fingertips.
- 05
The same access continues to be used — no new line, no new limb.
Questions patients ask
Can dialysis be done the same day as fistuloplasty?+
Often yes — once flow is restored the access can usually be used, following the nephrology team's advice on timing.