Dialysis Access Imaging: Declot

Dialysis Access Imaging: Declot

What is a declot?
What shall I do in preparation for the procedure?
How does the declot procedure work?
How long will the procedure last?
Will I be put to sleep (under anesthesia) during the procedure?
What if the declot is unsuccessful?
What are the risks of the procedure?
What are the instructions after the procedure?
If I have other questions, who do I contact?

What is a declot?
A declot is performed when your dialysis graft has clotted. This usually occurs because an area of narrowing has developed in your graft or in the veins draining the graft.

What shall I do in preparation for the procedure?
It is important that you not eat within 8 hours of the procedure time as the X-ray dye and medication make some people feel nauseated.

How does the declot procedure work?
During a declot procedure, we do the following three things: first, we treat any narrowing by stretching it open with a balloon (angioplasty); second, we break up the clot within the graft; and third, we remove the clot from the graft. At the end of the procedure, pressure is held over the puncture sites.

How long will the procedure last?
Because there are so many steps involved, a declot procedure can take between one and three hours to complete.

Will I be put to sleep (under anesthesia) during the procedure?
No. The declot procedure is a minimally invasive procedure. You will only receive some sedation and pain control medication if you need it during the procedure.

What if the declot is unsuccessful?
If the declot is unsuccessful, a dialysis catheter will be placed so you can maintain your dialysis schedule while a new access site is found.

What are the risks of the procedure?
The most common complications are allergy to x-ray dye and bleeding. There is also a slight risk of infection. Very occasionally, a piece of clot may break off and go to your lungs or hand and cause a problem that requires further treatment.

What should I expect after the procedure?
After the procedure we will watch you for a short time and then send you home or to dialysis. It is important to have a responsible adult to drive you home. You may resume your previous diet, medications, and activities.

What are the instructions after the procedure?

• If bleeding from your graft or fistula should occur, apply enough pressure at the site to stop the bleeding and hold for 15 minutes. If bleeding does not stop after 15 minutes or it continues to be slow ooze or you are unable to hold adequate pressure to the site, then continue to apply pressure and call the Heart and Vascular Center at 205-934-0152 or 205-934-7245 or 205-975-4850 during weekdays (daytime) for instructions. Call 911 if it is urgent or if it is more than a slow ooze or if unable to reach the Heart and Vascular Center by phone. Hold pressure at the site until ambulance arrives.

• Call the Vascular Center if you have fever, chills, pain or redness over the fistula/graft. For arm grafts, if your fingers or hand become cold, painful or blue, call the Center or go to the ER. For thigh grafts, watch for the same things at the thigh graft and for new symptoms of cold or painful leg or toes. Go to ER when in doubt.

• May take Tylenol 325 mg for pain if not allergic to it. Take 1 to 2 tablets every 6 hours as needed for pain.

• Do NOT wear anything tight around the fistula or graft arm, this includes clothing and jewelry.

• Do NOT hang purses or shopping bags from the fistula arm.

• Do NOT allow blood pressures to be taken on the fistula arm.

• Do NOT allow anyone except dialysis personnel to stick needles of any kind in the fistula arm.

• Feel for the thrill in your fistula or graft every day. The thrill is the vibration you feel over the fistula/graft that means the blood is flowing through it. If you cannot feel the thrill, call the Dialysis Unit or your kidney doctor (nephrologist).

If I have other questions, who do I contact?
For further questions or concerns about declot procedure, please contact Interventional Radiology at 205-934-0152, 205-934-7245, 205-975-4850.