Four years ago a graft was placed in right forearm. It clotted off before it was ever used.Kidney function improved until last Dec.,
when a fistula was placed in left arm. However
in Jan.,'04 emergency dialysis was required
and a portable catheter was placed in chest and dialysis began.The catheter started acting
up immediately requiring they stick the arterial. The fistula is nearly five month old
and the venous just is not developing,and the
catheter is on life support. The doctors are now talking about another graft above the fistula. I say NO!
The docs have ruled out PD. Are there any other options?

Jane,

I can only assume that they have tried to salvage the non-maturing fistula, if not, you need to see your vascular surgeon.

If PD is not an option then your only choices are either some type of functioning vascular access or death.

I hate to be so blunt but it really is that cut and dry.

Chuck

Maybe the staff could use one side of the catheter in your chest for one line, then use the fistula for the other at the same time, I have had to do this on a very poorly developed fistula, we used the catheter for the arterial blood flow into the machine and used the fistula for the other and vise versa. Hope this helps till the fistula develops.