Regression of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy After Arteriovenous Fistula Closure in Renal Transplant Recipients: A Long-Term Follow-Up

The long-term effects of hemodialysis arteriovenous fistula (AVF) closure on left ventricular (LV) morphology are unknown. Using echocardiography, we prospectively studied 17 kidney transplant recipients before, 1, and, 21 months after AVF closure (mean fistula flow 1371 +/- 727 mL/min). Eight kidney transplant recipients with a patent AVF, matched for age, time after AVF creation, and time after transplantation, served as controls. LV mass index (LVMI) decreased from 139 +/- 44 g/m2 before AVF closure to 127 +/- 45 g/m2 and 117 +/- 40 g/m2 at 1 and 21 months post-closure, respectively (p < 0.001), but remained unchanged in controls. LV hypertrophy prevalence (LVMI > 125 g/m2) decreased from 65% before, to 41% early, and 18%, late, after surgery (p = 0.008), mostly from a decrease in LV end-diastolic diameter. Consequently, the prevalence of LV concentric remodeling (relative wall thickness > 0.45 without hypertrophy) increased from 12% before, to 35% early, and 65% late, after surgery (p = 0.003). Diastolic arterial blood pressure increased from 78 +/- 15 mmHg before, to 85 +/- 13 mmHg early, and 85 +/- 10 mmHg late, after surgery (p < 0.015). In conclusion, closure of large and/or symptomatic AVF induces long-term regression of LV hypertrophy. However, residual concentric remodeling geometry as well as diastolic blood pressure increase may blunt the expected beneficial cardiac effects of the procedure.