Effects of arteriovenous fistula on clinical, laboratory and echocardiographic findings in renal allograft recipients

Abstract

Purpose: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is frequently observed in patients with end-stage renal disease and renal allograft recipients, and is an independent and strong predictor of morbidity and mortality. Presence of a patent arteriovenous fistula (AVF) after renal transplantation may contribute to the persistent LVH. We investigated the clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic findings in patients with renal transplants with or without AVF.