Isolated pleural effusion as a presentation of high cardiac output heart failure in a hemodialysis patient

Congestive heart failure is a well-recognized complication of hemodialysis arteriovenous fistula. Symptoms of dyspnea are usually associated with signs of congestive heart failure including pulmonary edema, pleural effusions, lower extremity edema, and liver enlargement, to name a few. We present a case of a gentleman with end-stage renal disease on chronic hemodialysis, which developed acute bilateral transudative pleural effusions in the absence of other signs of systemic venous congestion, associated with pulmonary venous congestion. We also discuss the pathogenesis and role of hemodialysis in management of this patient.