“AV Fistula ”
Is it normal for a fistula to start clotting after 10 years of non use or is it a medical emergency?
Male | 24 years old
Complaint duration: 3 days
2 Answers
It would not be an medical emergency unless the extremity develops pain/swelling/numbness. Typically a functioning fistula of that duration without any intervention would not start randomly clotting. This would indicate there is a flow limiting issue that is causing blood to back up and subsequently clot. I would recommend that you have further evaluation with the vascular surgeon/radiologist/nephrologist
Yes, it's normal for the fistula to clot after this long of non-use; not a medical emergency; I would not attempt declot unless on dialysis or nearing dialysis.
