Care for fistula?

[bette1]

I was wondering if you have to continue to be careful with your fistula arm after transplant surgery.  I was told not to let anyone take blood or take a blood pressure reading on that arm, and not lift more than 10 pounds.  Do I keep doing this?  Forever?

[okarol]

In the past it has been common practice to encourage the patient to keep the fistula healthy and functioning and hopefully they'd never need it again, but it would be there just in case. However, I recall reading an article about tying off fistulas in post transplant patients to decrease left ventricular hypertrophy in the heart. You can read more here:
"Your fistula after transplant: To keep or not to keep?" By Anna Bennett
http://www.billpeckham.com/from_the_sharp_end_of_the/2009/02/your-fistula-after-transplant-to-keep-or-not-to-keep.html

[bette1]

Thanks for the information Okarol.  My fistula was never really that good, so I won't be surprised if it fails, but I'll take care of it as long as possible.  It seem like insurance.