Hemodialysis Vascular Access: Core Curriculum 2025

Abstract

The majority of patients with kidney failure requiring replacement therapy will need the support of hemodialysis during their journey with kidney failure. A reliable functioning vascular access is required to provide hemodialysis. This Core Curriculum reviews the major forms of vascular access (arteriovenous fistula, arteriovenous graft, and central venous catheter) as well as the planning, preparation, creation, use, and maintenance of vascular access, requiring a P-L-A-N (Patient ESKD Life-Plan first then Access Needs) for each patient. The end-stage kidney disease Patient Life-Plan focuses on a strategy for kidney replacement modalities, while the Access Needs are the corresponding dialysis access(es) and management plans. The Access Needs include a vessel preservation plan, creation plan, contingency (complications) plan, and access succession plan. Stenosis and thrombosis are common problems with arteriovenous accesses, and dysfunction and infection are common problems with central venous catheters. Underrecognized and underreported but potentially life-threatening situations include arteriovenous access rupture and high-output cardiac failure. Effective management of these and other vascular access problems requires a coordinated multidisciplinary effort that is patient centered while preserving vascular access.

Keywords: Central venous catheter; Life-Plan; end-stage kidney disease; fistula; graft; hemodialysis; vascular access.