Treatments / Procedures:

• Temporary Dialysis – Helps remove waste while the kidney recovers.
• Monitoring Kidney Function – Frequent blood tests to check progress.
• Medication Support – Adjusting treatments to protect the kidney while it heals.

Treatments / Procedures:

Dialysis Access Procedures (Performed by Vascular Surgery):

These procedures create and maintain access points needed for dialysis treatment.

• Arteriovenous (AV) Fistula Creation – A surgical connection between an artery and a vein, considered the gold standard for long-term dialysis access.
• Arteriovenous (AV) Graft Placement – A synthetic tube connects an artery and a vein when natural vessels are not suitable for a fistula.
• Dialysis Catheter Placement – A catheter inserted into a central vein for short- or long-term hemodialysis access.

Access Maintenance and Support (Provided by Interventional Nephrology):

Our interventional nephrologists provide specialized procedures to ensure that dialysis access sites remain functional and complication-free.

• Fistula and Graft Evaluation – Imaging and testing to assess access to health and performance.
• Access Site Maintenance and Repair – Minimally invasive procedures to treat clots or narrowing in dialysis access sites.
• Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Placement – Insertion of a catheter for patients receiving peritoneal dialysis at home.

Transplant-Related Procedures:

These services support evaluation and readiness for kidney transplant:

• Kidney Transplant Evaluation – A series of tests to determine transplant eligibility.
• Living Donor Kidney Transplant – Receiving a kidney from a living donor often offers better outcomes.
• Deceased Donor Kidney Transplant – Transplantation from a deceased donor.
• Pre-Transplant Care – Ongoing medical care to manage kidney function while awaiting a donor.

Treatments / Procedures:

• Medication Adjustments – Finding the right balance to minimize side effects.
• Regular Blood Tests – Monitoring changes in blood sugar, cholesterol, and transplant or organ function.
• Nutritional and Lifestyle Guidance – Helping patients maintain a healthy weight and prevent complications.

Treatments / Procedures:

• Preventive Medications – Antibiotics or antiviral drugs to reduce infection risk.
• Routine Screening for Infections – Blood tests and checkups to detect infections early.
• Prompt Treatment of Any Illness – Immediate care to prevent severe infections.

Treatments / Procedures:

• Regular Monitoring – Blood and urine tests to watch for early signs of disease.
• Adjusting Medications – Changes to immune-suppressing drugs to protect the kidney.
• Targeted Treatments – Specialized care based on the type of kidney disease.

Treatments / Procedures:

• Immunosuppressive Medications – Drugs that lower the immune system to prevent rejection.
• Frequent Blood Tests and Kidney Biopsies – To monitor for signs of rejection early.
• Adjusting Medications – Changing doses or types of immune-suppressing drugs if rejection occurs.

Treatments / Procedures:

• Blood Pressure Monitoring – Regular checkups to track changes.
• Medication Adjustments – Changing or adding blood pressure medications as needed.
• Diet and Lifestyle Changes – Reducing salt intake, maintaining a healthy weight, and staying active.

Treatments / Procedures:

• Medical weight loss supervised by nephrologists and obesity medicine specialist
• Nutrition counseling tailored for kidney disease and weight loss
• Prescribed medications for weight reduction and metabolic support
• Physical activity plans adjusted for renal health and mobility
• Behavioral health support to address stress and eating habits
• Ongoing monitoring to track BMI, lab results, and transplant readiness
• Coordination with UTMB’s transplant team for timely evaluation