AV Graft Replacement

[mike22]

I may possibly have to have my AV graft a fix or replaced. I was just wandering has anyone experienced this. What do they do and how does it feel. Im a little a scared because i dont know what to expect.

[willowtreewren]

Mike,
I can't help you there, but search through the threads for grafts (AV won't work because your search "words" must be at least three letters long).

I bet there is information somewhere on this site.

AND knowledge is power. Plus it reduces anxiety! 

Best wishes,

Aleta

[jbeany]

They can do a fistulagram on it, just like a regular fistula.  That's where they go in with a needle and use a small balloon to expand any narrow spots.  They can also put a stent in it.  As far as I know, getting a replacement means getting a new graft in a new site.  The grafts are made with a mesh around that the tissue grows into - that's how they clot at the end of the run - it's the tissue around that graft that clots, since the plastic doesn't seal from the needle hole.  Once it grows around, removing the graft would do massive damage to the tissue in your arm.

A regular fistulagram is an outpatient procedure that involves only the "twilight sleep" type of drug, not full anesthetic.  Mine was always accessed right in my arm, but some patients have to have the needle threaded in a vein in their groin and run up to the graft site.  The balloon and the stenting are only mildly uncomfortable with the drugs.  Stents are worse than balloons - a sharp, quick pain, though.  It's possible to do it without drugs, but I wouldn't want to try it.  You have to recover for an hour, and have someone drive you home, but I never felt more than a mild ache at the site the rest of the day.  You can also go directly to dialysis if you need to.
Hope it's a repair you need, and not a replacement!