Arterio-Venous Shunts
Similar to double lumen catheters, the arterio-venous (AV) shunt provides another means of temporary access for hemodialysis treatment. They are used when neither subclavian nor femoral vein cannulation is feasible and need for hemodialysis is urgent.
An arterio-venous shunt is surgically created which consists of two pieces of silicone tubing or cannula, each with a tapered Teflon tip on one end. The Teflon tip (called vessel tip) of one piece of the shunt tubing is placed in an artery and the Teflon tip of the other piece of the shunt tubing is placed in an adjacent vein. The tubing is then brought out through two puncture wounds in the skin and connected.
The advantages of AV Shunt are that it can be used immediately after placement and requires no needle puncture avoiding bleeding. It is believed that the use of AV shunt helps to dilate the vessels allowing for easier conversion to a fistula within a few months.
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