What is the method of dialysis done by joining an artery and a vein together?

The method of dialysis that involves joining an artery and a vein together is known as an arteriovenous fistula. This surgical procedure creates a direct connection between an artery and a vein, enlarging the vein over time, which allows for easier access to the bloodstream for the purposes of hemodialysis. The increased blood flow resulting from this connection makes it possible to efficiently perform dialysis, which is critical for patients with kidney failure.

In contrast, intravenous catheters, permacaths, and synthetic grafts represent alternative methods of vascular access for dialysis, but they do not involve the direct surgical joining of an artery and a vein as the arteriovenous fistula does. Intravenous catheters are typically inserted into a vein for temporary access. Permacaths are specialized catheters that are surgically placed under the skin and provide long-term access but also do not create an arterial-venous connection. Synthetic grafts involve the use of synthetic material to connect an artery to a vein, but they are not the same as a natural connection created by an arteriovenous fistula. Understanding the arteriovenous fistula is crucial in the context of renal care and managing patients undergoing dialysis.