血液透析患者動靜脈瘻管阻塞原因及預防與居家照護

Arteriovenous fistula (AV fistula) is an important vascular access route for patients who need hemodialysis. When AV fistula is blocked, it will affect treatment, cause various complications and even lead to death. Fistula blockages or malfunction is caused not only by thrombosis, vascular stenosis or lack of knowledge about AV fistula care among nurses, but also by patients' lack of knowledge and skills for AV fistula care at home. Therefore, it is important to improve self-care knowledge of AV fistula for patients and their families in order to reduce the incidence of fistula clogging. This paper is going to introduce vascular access, assessment the function of AV fistula, the associated factors of fistula obstruction, and self-care knowledge and skills. After reading this paper, nurses will acquire correct care knowledge and know-how to teach patients and families about AV fistula care at home. Consequently, it might decrease occurrence of fistula blockage, prolong the life of fistula, reduce medical cost, and improve patient's quality of life.