Arteriovenous fistulas in patients with end-stage renal disease have significant and potentially deleterious effects on cardiac functions, particularly with preexisting heart disease.
What is the impact of arteriovenous fistulas on cardiac functions in patients with end-stage renal disease?
While arteriovenous fistulas are the preferred dialysis access, clinicians must be aware of their potentially significant deleterious effects on cardiac function, especially in patients with preexisting heart disease.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of the death in dialysis patients. Arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are associated with lower mortality and are viewed as the desired access option in most patients with advanced kidney disease needing dialysis. However, AVFs have significant and potentially deleterious effects on cardiac functions particularly in the setting of preexisting heart disease. This article provides a comprehensive and contemporary review to what is known about the impact of AVFs on: congestive heart failure, left ventricular hypertrophy, pulmonary hypertension, right ventricular dysfunction, coronary artery disease and valvular heart disease.
Alkhouli et al. (Fri,) conducted a review in End-stage renal disease. Arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) was evaluated on Cardiac complications (congestive heart failure, left ventricular hypertrophy, pulmonary hypertension, right ventricular dysfunction, coronary artery disease and valvular heart disease). Arteriovenous fistulas in patients with end-stage renal disease have significant and potentially deleterious effects on cardiac functions, particularly with preexisting heart disease.