The Benefits of Vein Mapping for Dialysis

When you begin dialysis treatment, your nurse will insert a needle into a pathway called the AV fistula. When it comes to successful treatment, an AV fistula must be placed to create an access point for the machine; this access point connects an artery to a vein, pulling blood from one end and returning it at another. Vein mapping is a painless procedure that helps identify the best AV fistula placement for your dialysis treatment.

Is Vein Mapping Necessary for Surgical AV Fistula Placement?

It may not always be necessary to undergo vein mapping before dialysis, but it can be helpful. Your doctor will determine whether vein mapping is beneficial depending on your needs. For example, if you have a history of vascular problems, then mapping can identify conditions, highlight blood flow, and help the doctor determine the optimal placement for your fistula.

If you don’t have any conditions, vein mapping for AV fistula can still be a good idea. For one, it is a totally painless procedure that has no downtime. Using an ultrasound machine and the Doppler technique, it sends sound waves through your body and creates a digital map of all your veins.

By having this map, a surgeon can better understand the flow, depth, and size of each vein and know where to place the fistula for maximum success. This can avoid complications with dialysis, such as infection, aneurysm, stenosis, and thrombosis.

Preparing for Vein Mapping

Vein mapping is an easy, painless procedure that takes 45 minutes to an hour to complete. Afterward, you can go back to your normal routine without any downtime. This makes it both extremely convenient, and a great way to prepare for dialysis.

Get Expert Dialysis Access Support

The Metropolitan Vascular Institute in Waldorf, MD, offers vein mapping and ESRD services to help patients plan for dialysis. To schedule an appointment, you can book online, send a message, or call (301) 374-8540.