A fistula is an enlarged vein (usually in your arm), created by connecting an artery directly to a vein. Connecting the artery to the vein creates much greater blood flow into the vein.
After the fistula is surgically created, it can take weeks to months before the fistula matures and is ready to be used for hemodialysis. As a result, the vein enlarges and strengthens, making inserting of needles for hemodialysis treatments easier.
This is the preferred type of access because once the fistula properly matures and gets bigger and stronger; it provides an access with good blood flow that can last for decades. People with kidney disease can do exercises including squeezing a rubber ball to strengthen the fistula before use.
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