Haemodialysis Arterio Venous Fistula or graft interventions

This is performed in patients with very calcified hardened blockages (atherosclerotic plaques) involving long segments of the blood vessel, where angioplasty alone may not be sufficient. A special catheter device (either with high-speed rotating shaft and blades at tip or laser) is introduced under X-ray guidance over a wire into the blocked segment. Then the device is turned on which breaks off the hardened plaques and creates a channel through the blockage. Subsequently a balloon catheter is used to stretch the newly created channel to allow the blood flow through it. Stenting may also be performed if needed.