A Primer on Hemodialysis From an Interventional Radiology Perspective

Interventional radiologists play a central role in the care of patients with end-stage renal disease receiving renal replacement therapy. Ensuring that a patient׳s dialysis access remains suitable for high-quality dialysis is of paramount importance. However, although much has been spoken and written about endovascular techniques and outcomes based on angiographic criteria, little is generally known regarding the function and therefore the requirements of hemodialysis. In this article, we provide a heuristic overview of the mechanics of hemodialysis, with an emphasis on the “breaking points” in the extracorporeal circuit that trigger a patient׳s referral to Interventional Radiology. We also describe how dialysis quality is increasingly becoming linked with dialysis reimbursements. It is thus becoming progressively incumbent on the interventional radiologist to not only ensure that a patient receives high-quality outpatient dialysis but also that the patient׳s dialysis center meets its performance metrics.