WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW: An arteriovenous fistula, also called an AVF, is a surgical connection of an artery directly to a vein. This is usually done in those who need hemodialysis. Hemodialysis is a treatment to treat acute (sudden) and chronic (long-term) kidney failure. A machine that works like your real kidneys is used to clean waste from your blood. The AVF will act as a...