Creation of a Radial-Cephalic Arteriovenous Fistula
Nahel Elias, MD FACS
Surgical Director
Kidney Transplantation
Massachusetts General Hospital

AV fistulas provide the crucial vascular access required for patients receiving hemodialysis, a life-saving procedure for end-stage renal disease. Such patients have irreversible kidney damage and must receive a new kidney. While waiting, patients rely on hemodialysis to filter their blood to stay alive, and AV fistulas provide the sustainable vascular access required for hemodialysis. 

AV fistula creation is a common procedure. How common? Each year more than 661,000 Americans suffer from kidney failure. 468,000 of them are on dialysis, and 193,000 live with a functioning kidney transplant. So as common as it is, AV fistula creation is an extremely important, life-saving procedure. 

Join this surgical masterclass as Dr. Nahel Elias performs and narrates the procedure to walk you through each step of AV fistula creation.