Parkwest First in Tennessee to Implant Innovative Dialysis Graft

Strawberry Plains man can now undergo dialysis with less difficulty

Parkwest Medical Center was the first hospital in Tennessee to implant a new dialysis graft that will revolutionize dialysis treatment for 68-year-old Ray Hensley and millions of patients like him who require dialysis treatments. In February 2011, Hensley's kidneys stopped functioning normally, and he required hospitalization to implant a temporary graft to begin his three times a week dialysis treatment. The temporary system was working, but not without difficulty.

Dr. Christopher Pollock with Premier Surgical Associates at Parkwest changed that. By implanting the new Gore® Hybrid Vascular graft, Hensley now has a lessened risk of the graft closing because of clotting. Also, instead of each dialysis session taking approximately four hours, Hensley can expect these sessions to go a little faster since the new system is stronger than existing systems and can push the blood through quicker.

"We are pleased to be the first hospital in Tennessee to offer this new device to help improve outcomes for our patients,' said Pollock. "This device will mean fewer complications for our patients because of the decrease in clotting, meaning fewer surgeries to reopen previous grafts and decreased hospital stays."

Pollock states that the procedure takes about 45 minutes and most patients can return home the same day. The device is ready to use two weeks after insertion, a timeframe that is faster than previous graft options.