In what direction is the arterial needle placed in grafts? and for what reason?what are your experiences? and does anyone know a internetsite who can provide me this kind of information? Thanks in advance

Hi. I'm still fairly new so you might want to double check with others, but where I work both arterial and venous needles go in the same direction (up) with a graft.

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Originally posted by Dian:
In what direction is the arterial needle placed in grafts? and for what reason?what are your experiences? and does anyone know a internetsite who can provide me this kind of information? Thanks in advance

The arterial needle can go either way in a graft. It can face the blood flow or be placed to go "with the blood flow". The best way is with the needle end facing the blood flow. In a loop graft, that means the arterial needle faces "upstream" or up toward the elbow area. The venous needle ALWAYS goes with the flow, and in a loop graft this means again facing up towards the elbow area.
This is basic dialysis knowledge,and if you are told differently, you need to speak up and ask questions. Feel free to email me directley if you like.
Sully
msullyo@tcq.net