What is a peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter? In this article, we will describe what is a peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter. A PD catheter is a soft, thin tube (catheter) which is placed through your tummy and into the peritoneum – to enable peritoneal dialysis to happen. It is about 30 cm (12 in) long and […]
What is a peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter? Read More »
What is an arteriovenous graft (AVG)? An AV graft is an access option for haemodialysis patients with veins that are not strong enough for an arteriovenous fistula (AV fistula). Unlike an AV fistula, which directly connects an artery to a vein, an AV graft uses a small synthetic tube. One end of the graft attaches
What is an arteriovenous graft (AVG)? Read More »
What is a haemodialysis line? In this article we will describe what is a haemodialysis line. A haemodialysis line (or catheter) is a soft plastic tube (twice the length and half the width of a pen) placed through the skin into one of the large veins in the neck (usually) or the groin at the
What is a haemodialysis line? Read More »
What is an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) for dialysis? In this article we will describe what is a fistula (or arteriovenous fistula, AVF) for dialysis. Key points An arteriovenous fistula is formed during an operation The surgeon joins a vein and an artery together in your arm, in preparation for dialysis A fistula enables haemodialysis to take
What is an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) for dialysis? Read More »
Top tips about kidney transplants In this article we will describe top tips about kidney transplants. This will focus on the period after a transplant, especially the first year. Remember .. “A good transplant is one that is working well at one year with a blood creatinine level of under 150 mcmol/L” Typical scar after
Top tips about kidney transplants Read More »
10 unanswered questions in kidney transplantation In this article, we will describe 10 unanswered questions in kidney transplantation. 1. Why do blood clots in the transplanted kidney artery (and vein) still occur despite anticoagulation? When blood in the blood vessels to the transplanted kidney clots, the kidney has no blood flow. It usually does not
10 unanswered questions in kidney transplantation Read More »
At what CKD stage, GFR and creatinine should I start dialysis? Stage 5 CKD (kidney failure), or GFR <10 ml/min, or a creatinine > 500 mcmol/L. That’s the short answer. It’s a bit more complicated [“how did I guess you would say that?” CKDEx Ed]. It’s not just the numbers above that lead to a
At what CKD stage, GFR and creatinine should I start dialysis? Read More »
BK virus-associated nephropathy (BKVAN) after kidney transplantation In this article we will describe BK (or Human polyomavirus 1) nephropathy. In 1971, a human polyomavirus was discovered from the urine of a renal transplant recipient whose initials were B.K. This virus has been named ‘BK virus’. BK virus infection usually occurs in early childhood (80%), typically
BK virus-associated nephropathy (BKVAN) after kidney transplantation Read More »
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about kidney transplants What is the life expectancy of a transplanted kidney? On average, a kidney transplant from a living donor lasts for 15-20 years, while a kidney from a deceased donor lasts 10-15 years. Kidney survival is improving (Poggio, 2021). But is very variable depending on the age of the
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about kidney transplants Read More »
How much does dialysis cost in the UK? A lot. About £20,000 per person per year. Dialysis is a high-cost treatment, with the NHS spending over £600 million per year (£20,000 x 30,000 patients) on dialysis in the UK (over 0.25% of the NHS budget on a rare disease). With the growth in CKD and
How much does dialysis cost in the UK? Read More »
