At the Forefront - UChicago Medicine

Dialysis Access Center

Thuong Van Ha, MD and team performing a dialysis access procedure

The University of Chicago Medicine Dialysis Access Center specializes in dialysis access management and maintenance. We offer friendly, personalized endovascular care tailored to your unique needs. Our experts use the latest minimally-invasive techniques to get you back to your regular dialysis treatments as safely and quickly as possible.

Common Dialysis Access Complications

The University of Chicago Medicine Dialysis Access Center specializes in dialysis access management and maintenance. We offer friendly, personalized endovascular care tailored to your unique needs. Our experts use the latest minimally-invasive techniques to get you back to your regular dialysis treatments as safely and quickly as possible.

Stenosis

When blood vessels narrow due to hemodialysis treatment, this is called stenosis. This condition happens most often with arteriovenous fistulas and grafts, but can occur in other accesses as well. It usually worsens over time and, if left untreated, can lead to blood clotting (thrombosis).

Thrombosis

Thrombosis refers to when a blood clot forms and blocks an artery or vein. Untreated stenosis is a frequent cause of thrombosis, but it can develop during dialysis access care for a variety of reasons.

Dialysis Access Care Services

Our skilled team performs various procedures to ensure that you recover fully and return to your regular hemodialysis schedule.

These treatments include:

  • Angiogram
  • Angioplasty
  • Catheter insertion, removal and exchange
  • Endovascular stent placement
  • Endovascular thrombectomy (declot)
  • Pseudoaneurysm repair with stenting
  • Venogram mapping

How to Prepare for Your Dialysis Access Center Visit

We are here to help you before, during and after your appointment. There are a few things you should know as you get ready to work with our team.

  • Do not eat or drink anything for 8 hours prior to your procedure.
  • Please arrive 1 hour prior to scheduled appointment time.
  • If you need labs drawn, please proceed to DCAM 3F, 4F, or 6F, 2 hours prior to appointment time.
  • In order to receive sedation, you will need a responsible adult to accompany you home after the procedure.

If you have any questions regarding a contrast allergy, pregnancy or anticoagulation, diabetes or hypertension medications, please call 773-702-6514.

Directions to the Dialysis Access Center

Enter the 2nd floor of the Mitchell Hospital and check in at the security desk. You will then proceed to the 1st floor Radiology check-in desk located at TC-100.

Parking Information:

We offer a variety of convenient parking options, including valet and self-parking option in garage A, along with street parking and nearby public transit options.

Dialysis Access Center

Request an Appointment

The information you provide will enable us to assist you as efficiently as possible. A representative will contact you within one to two business days to help you schedule an appointment.

To speak to someone directly, please call 1-888-824-0200. If you have symptoms of an urgent nature, please call your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately.

By submitting this form you acknowledge the risk of sending this information by email and agree not to hold the University of Chicago or University of Chicago Medical Center liable for any damages you may incur as a result of the transfer or use of this information. The use or transmittal of this form does not create a physician-contact relationship. More information regarding the confidentiality of this request can be found in our Privacy Policy.

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By submitting this form you acknowledge the risk of sending this information by email and agree not to hold the University of Chicago or University of Chicago Medical Center liable for any damages you may incur as a result of the transfer or use of this information. The use or transmittal of this form does not create a physician-contact relationship. More information regarding the confidentiality of this request can be found in our Privacy Policy.