Far Infrared Therapy on Arteriovenous Fistulas in Hemodialysis Patients

The number of hemodialysis patients in the world are increasing. In order to receive a sufficient dialysis, the patients needs a well functioning and stable vascular access - preferably an arteriovenous fistula (AVF). Unfortunately, the AVF has a high incidence of stenosis with percutaneous trans luminal angioplasty (PTA) as the only treatment option and a short lifetime. Little do we know of how to improve the survival of the AVF. With this study we want to explore the effect of far infrared therapy on the stenosis, maturation and survival of the arteriovenous fistula. The investigators will divide the patients into 2 groups: A treatment group and a control group. The treatment group will receive infrared therapy on their fistula during their dialysis session. The control group will not receive any infrared therapy. The investigators hope to reduce the risk of stenosis in the fistula and improve the fistula survival with this treatment. Furthermore, the investigators want to explore the change in several biochemical markers during the treatment with infrared therapy.