What My Vasc-Alert Report Indicates About My Access
Vasc-Alert is an FDA-approved, non-invasive screening/surveillance test used to help identify narrowing in your hemodialysis graft/fistula (dialysis access). Monitoring and surveillance usage helps your caregivers make sure your dialysis access is working properly and alerts them to problems so your hemodialysis access can be repaired to prevent it from developing clots. This is very important because if your fistula or graft clots, there is a greater change that you could lose your hemodialysis access than if it had been treated with angioplasty before the event occurred. In the worst-case scenario, you may also have to have a catheter placed so that you can continue to receive your dialysis treatments.
Access Risk Score
Vasc-Alert also calculates an Access Risk Score for each treatment by analyzing information from your dialysis treatment to determine your risk of having a vascular access problem. It is a 1-to-10 scale, where 1 is low risk and 10 is high risk. Based on the Access Risk Score and/or other indicators of access dysfunction, your provider may recommend that you have a vascular access evaluation performed. The Access Risk Score has been validated in a peer reviewed study. Other things such as needle placement, access placement or movement during treatment may also affect results.
Patient Access Report Card
Learn more about the Access Risk Score Card and . . .