Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is associated with increased risk of heart failure and mortality in end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. Accumulating evidence suggests an association between atriovenous fistula (AVF) and RV dysfunction; however, there is no adequate data on the relation between AVF characteristics and risk of RV dysfunction after AVF creation.

The study included 30 ESRD patients (median age: 44years, 17 male) who had their first autogenous mature AVF. Before and 6months after AVF creation the following were measured: myocardial performance index of RV (MPI-RV) using tissue Doppler imaging echocardiography and flow rate (Qa), feeding artery and receiving vein diameters using colour-flow Doppler ultrasound. Change (Δ) in MPI-RV was calculated by subtracting follow-up value from baseline value. Worsening RV function was defined as Δ MPI-RV>0.015 and high AVF flow as Qa≥950ml/min.

Compared to patients with lower AVF flow, patients with higher flow showed increased Δ in MPI-RV (0.12 vs. −0.03, p=0.04), basal RV diameter (0.3 vs. −0.02cm, p=0.014), left ventricular end diastolic volume index (9.9 vs. 0ml/m², p=0.004) and left atrial volume index (3 vs. 1ml/m², p=0.016). Among all clinical, echocardiographic and AVF-related parameters, univariate predictors of worsening of RV function were: high Qa, upper arm AVF, and large feeding artery diameter at baseline. Δ MPI-RV showed significant correlations with feeding artery diameter at baseline (r=0.46, p=0.01), and Qa (0.37, p=0.04) and no significant correlation with pulmonary artery pressures. Qa≥950ml/min, feeding artery diameter at baseline≥4mm and upper arm AVF can predict worsening of RV function with 73%, 73%, 75% sensitivity and 67%, 67%, 70% specificity, respectively.

In patients with ESRD, higher AVF flow adversely affects RV remodelling, manifested as increased size and worsening function. Predictors of worsening of RV function are: higher AVF flow rate, AVF in the upper arm, and large feeding artery diameter.