Dialysis Access Experts at Ingalls Create Lifeline for Alsip Man
Unchecked high blood pressure can have dire consequences. Thirty-nine-year-old Christopher Heard knows that firsthand.
By the time he discovered he had dangerously high blood pressure, his kidneys were already failing him. Unfortunately, undiagnosed high blood pressure can wreak havoc on the body without any signs or symptoms.
"I had high blood pressure and didn't even know it," Christopher recalls. "By the time I found out, it had already done a job on my kidneys."
Three-times-a-week dialysis was the only way to replace the function of his failed organs.
While lifesaving for individuals with kidney failure, longterm dialysis – which purifies the blood through the use of a hemodialysis machine – is not without its own complications. The ongoing need to access veins can cause serious problems, including blockages, blood clots and life-threatening infections.
When Christopher began to have problems with his dialysis access point, he was referred to the Dialysis Access and Fistula Maintenance program at Ingalls – run by highly trained, board-certified interventional radiologists.
While it is the surgeons at Ingalls who are experts at creating arterio-venous fistulae and grafts, it is the interventional radiologists who are skilled at using minimally invasive techniques to keep them open and functioning well. When fistulae and grafts are no longer an option for dialysis patients, interventional radiologists can be quite creative in finding new sites to place dialysis catheters.
"As interventional radiologists, we are uniquely skilled at working with the vascular system," explains Perry Gilbert, M.D., a member of the Ingalls Medical Staff and medical director of the program. "Regardless of how challenging an individual's needs may be, we can successfully preserve vascular access for dialysis patients. Access truly is their lifeline."
As a long-term dialysis patient, Christopher has required the creation of several new access points over the years when existing ones failed him due to infection or blockage. And the experts at Ingalls have always come through for him.
"The doctors at Ingalls are always discovering new ways to create access for me," he said. "They've been amazing."
Christopher, who is on the waiting list for a new kidney, hopes to get good news soon. In the meantime, the energetic Alsip resident who is no longer able to work stays active by coaching a men's softball team.
"I had to retire from playing when I got sick, but I enjoy coaching," he added.
His advice to those with a history of high blood pressure: "Get it checked out and take your medication. All I would have had to do was go to the doctor and been told I had high blood pressure. It could have been kept under control (with medication). Don't wait."
If you or a family member needs vascular access for dialysis, call the Dialysis Access and Fistula Maintenance program at Ingalls at 708.915.5200.
Success Stories
Advanced Orthopedic Institute
Organ Repairman Back in Tune with Anterior Hip Surgery
State Wrestling Champ Grapples with Torn ACL and Triumphs!
Back Pain a Thing of the Past Following Disc Replacement
Ingalls Making an Impact on Concussion
South Holland Man Touts Convenience of Ingalls Same Day Surgery
Flossmoor Woman Walking Tall Again After Anterior Hip Replacement
Anterior Hip Surgery Helps Busy Olympia Fields Woman Stay Independent
No Distance Too Great to Travel for Anterior Hip Replacement
Titanium Ankle Implant Gets Gift Shop Manager Back on Her Feet
Deuce Partial Knee Offers High-performance Option for Active Patients
Revolutionary Technique Restores Damaged Knee Cartilage
New Custom-Fit Knee Implant Means Better, Longer-Lasting Wear
Shoulder Repair: When Conventional Isn't An Option
Partial Knee Offers Permanent Fix
'A Complete Turnabout' Spine Procedure Relieves Indiana Man's Neck Pain
Behavioral Health
Ingalls Behavioral Health Expands Adolescent Services
Chicago Man Celebrates One Year of Sobriety
Cancer Center
Unique Liver Tumor Treatment Provides Hope for South Side Native
'Accidental Find' of Melanoma Saves Park Forest Woman
Proper Nutrition is a Must for Cancer Patients
Ingalls Honored for Outstanding Cancer Achievement
Our Experts Take Cancer Care Personally
Dolton Man Faces Lung Cancer with a Positive Attitude
Ingalls Doctors Put the 'Deep Freeze' on Tumors and Save Patient's Kidneys
Ingalls Introduces Ambassadors for Cancer Research
Ingalls Enrolling Patients in National Pancreatic Cancer Study
Chicago Woman is 'Poster Child' for Successful Breast Cancer Treatment
Helping Cancer Survivors Triumph Over Stress and Depression
Dialysis
Dialysis Access Experts at Ingalls Create Lifeline for Alsip Man
Complementary Medicine
Botox an Unexpected Treatment for Migraine Sufferers
Heart and Vascular
Lansing Man Speaks Clearly Again Following Stroke Rehab
Quick Response Saves 38-Year-Old Man
Big 10 College Official Scores with Leg Vein Procedure
Ingalls Stroke Care Helps Indiana Man Regain Independence
Ingalls/Rotary Fair is a Lifesaver for Hazel Crest Village Clerk
South Holland Woman Treated for Rare Heart Tumor
Team Effort - Ingalls Doctors Work Together to Save Lynwood Woman's Life
Home Care and Hospice
Tele-Monitoring Helps Reduce CHF Hospitalizations
Palliative Care Comforts and Improves Quality of Life
Expert Wound Care Heals South Holland Man's Foot
Ingalls Hospice Offers Comfort, Care and Support
Interventional Radiology
Unique Liver Tumor Treatment Provides Hope for South Side Native
Big 10 College Official Scores with Leg Vein Procedure
Treating Uterine Fibroids Without Hysterectomy
Vein Treatment at Ingalls Takes the Ache Out of Frankfort Man's Legs
Minimally Invasive Aneurysm Repair Saves Life of Country Club Hills Man
Team Effort - Ingalls Doctors Work Together to Save Lynwood Woman's Life
New Therapy for Patients with Inoperable Liver Cancer
Irwin Retina Center
Irwin Retina Center: Landmark Macular Degenration Study Shows Two Drugs Equally Effective
National Study At Ingalls Compares Treatments for 'Wet' Macular Degeneration
Neurosciences
Lansing Man Speaks Clearly Again Following Stroke Rehab
Ingalls Stroke Care Helps Indiana Man Regain Independence
Disturbing the Peace Sleep Disorders Steal the Winks
Occupational Health
Occupational Therapy: Fine-Tuning Children's Motor Skills
Workplace wellness initiatives pay off
Outpatient Services
Ingalls Same Say Surgery: 25 Years of Exceptional Service
South Holland Man Touts Convenience of Ingalls Same Day Surgery
Rehabilitative Services
Lansing Man Speaks Clearly Again Following Stroke Rehab
Ingalls Stroke Care Helps Indiana Man Regain Independence
Munster Woman Achieves 'Medical Miracles'
Ingalls Physical Therapy Helps Oak Forest Man Overcome Dizzy Spells
Breathe Easier with Ingalls Asthma Education
It Matters Where You Go For Stroke Care
Ingalls Rehab 'Home Away from Home' for Orland Hills Man
Occupational Therapy: Fine-Tuning Children's Motor Skills
Rheumatology Treatment
Newer Treatments Encouraging for Patients woth Psoriatic Arthritis
Urinary Incontinence
From Therapy to Surgery: Incontinence Program Offers Range of Options
Wellness
Botox an Unexpected Treatment for Migraine Sufferers
Walking Can Lower Your Risk for Alzheimer's Disease
Womens Services
Treating Uterine Fibroids Without Hysterectomy
Simple Surgical Repair Fixes Bladder Prolapse for Midlothian Woman
Healthy Baby Network Invaluable for Expectant Women and Adolescents
Ingalls Designated as Breast Imaging Center of Excellence
A Full Range of Care Designed Just for Women
Minimally Invasive Alternative to Hysterectomy
Wound Care
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Helps Heal Foot Ulcer
