After a fistuloplasty
Fistuloplasty to unblock an arteriovenous fistula
After your fistuloplasty procedure, we take you back to the renal day unit (Patience ward) at Guy's Hospital. Here, we:
- monitor you closely to make sure that there is no significant bruising
- check your blood pressure and pulse regularly
- put a clip on your finger to measure the oxygen level in your blood
A nurse explains when you can get up and move around, and when you can go home. You need a responsible adult to take you home by car or taxi. We do not recommend using public transport.
Using your AV fistula
Your AV fistula should be ready to use for haemodialysis treatment immediately after the procedure.
When you go home
Here is some guidance if you leave hospital after your fistuloplasty.
Do
- rest for the remainder of the day, and possibly for the next day depending on how you recover
- eat and drink as usual
- have a shower or bath as usual on the next day
- take your usual painkillers if you are in any pain
- always follow the instructions and have the amount (dose) recommended in the leaflet that comes with any pain medicine
- keep taking any regular medicines, as your doctor has prescribed
Don't
- do not start metformin again until 2 days after the procedure if you take this medicine
If you have any concerning symptoms
Contact us or go to A&E now if you:
- are bleeding at the place where we put in the thin tube called a catheter (the puncture site)
- have a lot of bruising and swelling
- have a lot of pain at the puncture site that does not improve after taking painkillers
- have a change in the colour of your arm
- have a high temperature (fever) or chills
- have leaking yellow-green liquid called pus, discharge (oozing fluid) or a lump at the puncture site
- have chest pain or find it hard to breathe
- cannot hear a rumbling sound (bruit) or feel a vibration (thrill or buzz) in your arm with the AV fistula
Resource number: 3896/VER4
Last reviewed: August 2023
Next review due: August 2026
A list of sources is available on request.
