Surgeons at Vascular Institute of Virginia are helping dialysis patients across Northern Virginia to “put a lid on it.” VIV is excited to announce the U.S. debut of the innovative hemodialysis “Bottle Cap” Keyrings, a life-saving tool designed to help stem life-threatening bleeding in renal dialysis patients.
VIV Board Certified General and Vascular Surgeons Dr. Deepak Deshmukh and Dr. Ayorinde Akinrinlola will distribute the small, portable devices, designed by Kidney Care UK, along with instructions on how to use them effectively, to 3,000 hemodialysis patients across Northern Virginia.
What it is?
The fistula cap keyring is a compact, keyring-style device designed to assist healthcare staff and patients in managing unexpected bleeding from hemodialysis access points. Its use is especially effective in stemming life-threatening bleeding that can occur when renal dialysis patients, particularly those using an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) or graft (AVG), experience a rupture. These occurrences can lead to rapid and significant blood loss, making immediate action critical.
“For patients with end-stage kidney failure, bleeding from AVF or AVG sites is a serious risk. More than 80% of these ruptures occur at home, where immediate medical assistance may not be readily available,” said Dr. Deshmukh. “This device provides a temporary solution by placing a lid over the bleeding site, controlling blood loss until the patient can reach a hospital.”
How it works?
Bleeding from arteriovenous fistula sites is a rare but known complication with potentially fatal outcomes. The flexible design of the cap creates a slight vacuum effect when placed over the bleeding site, capturing the blood and promoting clotting through a tamponade effect. This mechanism helps to stabilize the patient until professional medical help is available.
Why it’s critical?
The fistula cap was created to address the potentially fatal risk of bleeding from hemodialysis access points. By distributing these devices, the Vascular Institute of Virginia hopes to provide patients with a simple yet effective tool to manage bleeding emergencies, enhancing patient safety and outcomes.
“This simple yet critical device offers immense peace of mind for patients facing the rare but serious risk of a fistula site bleed,” said Dr. Deshmukh. “It is especially reassuring for those who may not live close to a hospital. In an emergency, it buys precious time, potentially saving lives and easing the burden on patients already dealing with significant health challenges.”
VIV is currently distributing the keyrings to dialysis centers throughout Virginia along with hands-on instructions for safe use to facility administrators who will have the keyrings available for their dialysis patients to take home with them.
