What is the purpose of surgically creating an arteriovenous fistula?

The purpose of surgically creating an arteriovenous fistula is primarily for hemodialysis. An arteriovenous fistula is constructed by connecting an artery directly to a vein, which allows for increased blood flow and elevated pressure within the venous system. This is crucial for patients with end-stage renal disease who require hemodialysis treatment, as it provides a reliable access point for repeating dialysis sessions.

A properly functioning fistula enables sufficient blood to be extracted from the patient for the dialysis machine to filter, and then return the blood to the patient. In this context, the fistula’s capacity to handle high blood flow significantly facilitates the efficiency and effectiveness of the hemodialysis process. Other options may relate to aspects of vascular health but do not directly focus on the main goal of creating a fistula in this scenario, which is to ensure optimal access for dialysis procedures.