According to the National Kidney Foundation, arteriovenous (AV) fistula, which connects a vein to a nearby artery in the arm, is the preferred access out of the three methods available for hemodialysis patients. AV fistula lasts longer and has a lower rate of infections and other complications.
To help spread the word about the benefits of the AV fistula, the National Kidney Foundation has teamed up with other kidney disease organizations on the Fistula First Breakthrough Initiative. This initiative offers an array of educational materials on dialysis and the AV fistula. Materials cover topics ranging from choosing a qualified surgeon to keeping the fistula infection-free.
Click here to access the Fistula First Community Education Resources on our Web site. Or, go to www.fistulafirst.org for more on the national Fistula First Breakthrough Coalition.