What constitutes an established fistula?

An established fistula is defined as one that has been successfully cannulated with both arterial and venous needles for a minimum duration of two months. This timeline allows for adequate maturation of the fistula, enabling it to reliably support the necessary blood flow for hemodialysis. Successful cannulation indicates that the fistula has developed sufficient size and patency to endure repeated access during dialysis sessions without complications.

After two months of use, health care providers can generally trust that the access site will function effectively, resulting in better outcomes for the patient. This understanding is critical in ensuring that dialysis treatments occur as efficiently and safely as possible.

In contrast, a fistula that has undergone surgery for less than two months would not have had sufficient time to mature and may not be suitable for cannulation. A fistula that has never been used for dialysis is not established since it lacks any usage history. Lastly, a fistula that exhibits signs of dysfunction would indicate potential issues that may need to be addressed, rather than defining it as “established.”