Interventional Nephrology – Advanced & Minimally Invasive Kidney Care at AINU Hospitals

Comprehensive interventional nephrology services designed to deliver safer procedures, quicker recovery, and lasting results.

Interventional Nephrology

Interventional Nephrology is a highly specialized branch of nephrology focused on image-guided, minimally invasive procedures that diagnose and treat problems involving dialysis access.

At AINU Hospitals, our interventional nephrology services are designed to ensure that patients with kidney disease receive timely, precise, and effective care, reducing delays, complications, and hospital visits.

What is Interventional Nephrology?

Interventional Nephrology is a procedure-based subspecialty that combines clinical nephrology with advanced imaging techniques such as ultrasound and fluoroscopy to perform targeted treatments.

It primarily focuses on:

• Creating and maintaining dialysis access
• Diagnosing and treating vascular access complications
• Performing kidney-related procedures without open surgery

Other area of expertise

• Renal biopsy
• CAPD catheter
• Tunneled dialysis catheter

Traditionally, many of these procedures required multiple specialists, often leading to delays. Today, interventional nephrologists are trained to perform them directly, ensuring faster diagnosis, quicker treatment, and better patient outcomes.

The Importance of Interventional Nephrology in Kidney Care

For patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or those on dialysis, reliable vascular access is not just important, it is life-sustaining. Even minor issues such as narrowing, clotting, or reduced blood flow can disrupt dialysis sessions and, if left untreated, lead to serious complications.

Interventional nephrology plays a critical role in preventing these disruptions and restoring function quickly, often without the need for major surgery.

It helps to:

• Restore and maintain effective dialysis access
• Detect and treat access issues early
• Reduce hospital admissions and treatment delays
• Minimize the need for open surgical procedures
• Improve overall treatment continuity and quality of life

Conditions We Manage

Our interventional nephrology team specializes in diagnosing and treating:

Dialysis Access Dysfunction

It helps to:

• Narrowing (stenosis) of fistulas or grafts
• Clotting (thrombosis) blocking blood flow
• Poor or inadequate dialysis access function

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Complications

• Need for long-term dialysis access
• Repeated access failure

End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Needs

• Creation and maintenance of vascular access
• Emergency access for urgent dialysis

Our Interventional Procedures

We offer a comprehensive range of minimally invasive procedures performed under imaging guidance for precision and safety.

1. Dialysis Access Creation

It helps to:

• Arteriovenous (AV) Fistula Creation – A natural connection between an artery and vein to enable long-term dialysis access.
• AV Graft Placement – A synthetic tube connecting artery and vein when natural vessels are not suitable.

These access points are essential for efficient hemodialysis.

2. Dialysis Catheter Procedures

• Tunneled Dialysis Catheter Placement – For immediate or temporary dialysis needs
• Catheter Exchange and Removal – When malfunction or infection occurs

These procedures provide quick and reliable access for patients who require urgent dialysis.

3. Access Evaluation & Imaging

• Fistulogram (Access Imaging Study) – Uses contrast imaging to identify blockages or narrowing
• Ultrasound Evaluation – Non-invasive assessment of blood flow and vessel health

These diagnostic tools help detect problems early, before they affect dialysis.

4. Access Salvage & Repair Procedures

When dialysis access becomes dysfunctional, we perform:

• Angioplasty (Balloon Dilatation) – Opens narrowed blood vessels to restore flow
• Thrombectomy – Removes blood clots blocking the access
• Stent Placement – Keeps blood vessels open when narrowing recurs

These procedures are typically performed under local anesthesia and allow quick recovery with minimal discomfort.

5. Peritoneal Dialysis Procedures

When dialysis access becomes dysfunctional, we perform:

• Angioplasty (Balloon Dilatation) – Opens narrowed blood vessels to restore flow
• Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) Catheter Insertion
• Catheter Repositioning or Replacement
  

Ensures smooth functioning of peritoneal dialysis systems.

6. Renal Procedures

When dialysis access becomes dysfunctional, we perform:

• Ultrasound-Guided Kidney Biopsy – For accurate diagnosis of kidney diseases
• Vascular InterventionsFor selected renal vascular conditions
• Minimally Invasive

Procedures are performed through small needle punctures using imaging guidance, avoiding large incisions and reducing physical stress on the body.

• Faster Recovery

Most interventions are completed as day-care or short-stay procedures, allowing patients to resume normal activities and dialysis schedules with minimal disruption.

• Reduced Complications

Lower risk of infection, bleeding, and surgical complications compared to open procedures, making it a safer option, especially for patients with complex medical conditions.

• Continuity of Care

Your nephrologist manages both diagnosis and intervention, ensuring better coordination, quicker decision-making, and a more streamlined treatment experience.

• Timely Intervention

Early detection and immediate treatment of access issues help prevent complete failure of dialysis access and avoid emergency situations.

• Immediate or Early Use

In many cases, dialysis access can be used immediately or soon after the procedure, reducing interruptions in treatment.

When to Consider Interventional Nephrology Care

Interventional nephrology may be required if there are signs of dialysis access dysfunction or complications, including:

• Difficulty during dialysis sessions
• Pain, swelling, or redness near the access site
• Reduced blood flow or repeated dialysis machine alarms
• Frequent catheter-related concerns
• Need for new or revised dialysis access

Timely intervention helps maintain access function and supports consistent, effective dialysis treatment.

Our Approach at AINU Hospitals

At AINU Hospitals, interventional nephrology is delivered through a coordinated, multidisciplinary model of kidney care, ensuring that every aspect of diagnosis, intervention, and follow-up is seamlessly managed.

Our interventional nephrologists work in close collaboration with:

• Nephrologists
• Vascular surgeons
• Dialysis specialists
• Radiology teams

This integrated approach allows for faster decision-making, precise interventions, and continuity of care, especially in time-sensitive dialysis access issues.

Every patient benefits from:

• Individualized treatment planning based on clinical condition and access history
• Timely, image-guided interventions to prevent delays and complications
• Ongoing monitoring and access preservation strategies to ensure long-term dialysis reliability

Why Choose AINU for Interventional Nephrology?

• • Dedicated Interventional Nephrology Expertise

A specialized team focused exclusively on dialysis access procedures and kidney-related interventions.

• • Advanced Imaging-Guided Procedures

Use of real-time ultrasound and fluoroscopic guidance for greater accuracy, safety, and procedural success.

• • Focus on Dialysis Access Preservation

Proactive monitoring and timely intervention to extend the life of fistulas, grafts, and catheters.

• • High Standards of Safety and Precision

Protocol-driven care designed to minimize complications and ensure consistent clinical outcomes.

• • Seamless, Multidisciplinary Coordination

Close collaboration between nephrologists, vascular surgeons, and dialysis teams for integrated care.

• • Timely Interventions, Reduced Delays

Streamlined processes that enable early diagnosis and prompt treatment of access-related issues.

• • Continuity of Care

From evaluation to intervention and follow-up, patients are managed within a single, coordinated care pathway.