Evaluation of risk factors for arteriovenous fistula failure in patients undergoing hemodialysis

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the relationship between demographic characteristics, hematological and biochemical parameters, and elements of the coagulation system that may predispose a person to thrombosis or to anatomical and functional parameters in Doppler ultrasonography scanning and the maturation and adequacy of arteriovenous fistulas. Materials and Methods: Overall, 36 patients who underwent a native arteriovenous fistula operation were included. Biochemical parameters, hematological parameters, the coagulation system, and a Doppler ultrasonography evaluation were performed before an arteriovenous fistula operation on day 1 after the fistula operation and at the time point when the arteriovenous fistula became dysfunctional. Results: A thrombus occurred between 1 and 73 days (mean: 28.4±26.1) in 10 patients. It was found that the female gender (p<0.001), presence of thrill (p=0.014), quality of vein (p<0.001), peak systolic velocity and end-diastolic velocity of the radial artery at the snuffbox region on day 1 after the operation (p=0.035 and p=0.049, respectively), and the cephalic vein diameter in the Brescia–Cimino region (p=0.011) were associated with thrombosis formation. No relation was found among blood pressure, fistula region, quality of artery, spasm of artery and vein, hematologic and biochemical parameters, coagulation parameters, active protein C resistance, anti-cardiolipin antibody, D-dimer, C-reactive protein, or erythrocyte sedimentation rate and thrombosis formation (p>0.05). Conclusion: Thrombosis occurs at a relatively early period in approximately a quarter of arteriovenous fistulas. Female gender, quality of vein, and the absence of thrill in the post-operative period are important factors in thrombosis formation.