What is needle infiltration in hemodialysis? What is it called when a fistula is "blown."Is this infiltration?

Question

This question is for probsbly dialysis nurses or techs.
At the begining of treatment when there was no problem with needle placement, is it still called "infiltration" when the fistula is "blown" and hematoma occurs?

Answer 1

When a needle is correctly placed the needle makes one hole - into the fistula. An infiltration is when it makes more than one hole - the needle goes into the fistula and then out another side.

A blown fistula is not the same thing as an infiltration. A fistula can blow when the needle first enters the fistula. The vessel wall is too fragile for the needle and the fistula pops or blows like a balloon. It essentially makes a small tear, which is larger than the needle. A needle can also blow once dialysis is initiated. This will most often happen from the venous needle because the exiting blood creates positive pressure in the fistula. This increase in pressure can be too great for the vessel to withstand, causing the vessel to rupture. Again, this is usually a small hole, but the leaking blood can cause quite a large hematoma.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

2