1. To renal patient receiving hemodialysis treatments, vascular fistula, including both vein fistula and artery fistula, are their life lines by which patient’s blood is introduced into an artificial kidney for elimination of toxins and thereafter, brought back to the body; understanding this much, you should good care of them, protect from unnecessary injury so that effective HD treatment is secured for your health.

2. Caring of artery/vein fistulas after an operation:

1. Avoid shooting, taking blood sample, taking BP readings from the arm on which artery/vein fistulas are established, avoid compressing or bending joints on the same arm.
2. Avoid excessive dehydration or lowering of BP.
3. Way from the third day of completion of the artery/vein fistulation operation the patient may be given to take hold of a rubber ball in the palm and squeeze it in the meantime, or to have a rubber string fastened around the upper arm (loosely fastened) so as to increase blood circulation so that the vessel may inflate faster.
4. Once the artery/vein fistula is accomplished with coupling operation it will allow for 6~8 weeks for ripening before the first puncturing is to begin with.

3. Routing caring of artery/vein fistula:

1. Avoid shooting, taking blood sample, taking BP readings from the arm on which artery/vein fistulas are established, avoid compressing or bending joints on the same arm.
2. Avoid excessive dehydration or lowering of BP.
3. After a HD treatment the injection point must be compressed with a cotton ball or gauze for hemostasis, note that don’t apply overdue exertion, relax a little bit approx. 5 minutes later, relax entirely 2~3 hours later.
4. The injection spot must be kept clean 24 hours the HD day.
5. That a vessel is through-going without being obstructed can be told with a swish by the stethoscope, and with a tremor by the touch, in case these signals grow weaker and weaker or disappeared, or were reduced to pulse-like pulsation, it is very likely that the fistula is being obstructed and the patient must see a doctor immediately.
6. Some patients may have to input anti-coagulant agents on a lasting basis, lest thrombosis should occur.
7. In the event the patient’s hand gets hurt by a cut and that results in mass bleeding, the wound must be compressed directly, and the patient be sent to a nearby hospital for assistance immediately.
8. The terminal end of the fistula may be compressed with suitable heat on the eve to the HD day, in an effort to promote blood circulation.
   (9) In the event the blood vessel expands to an excess, it may be protected with an elastic sleeving, lest too vehement the blood circulation should give occasion to heart failure.

The injection spot on the skin if turning red and swollen, irritates with pain, then it’s a sign of infection and the patient must go see a doctor immediately.