ABSTRACT
A hemodialysis arteriovenous fistula may cause high output cardiac state by volume overload and decreased systemic vascular resistance. Arteriovenous fistulas for hemodialysis consist usually of either a radiocephalic fistula at the wrist or a more proximal brachiocephalic fistula at the antecubital fossa. In this study the contribution of arteriovenous fistula to cardiac function has been evaluated by comparing cardiac performance before and after the point occlusion of the anastomotic site. The results suggest that the occlusion of arteriovenous fistula may decrease end-diastolic left ventricular volume (VOLd), increase end-systolic left ventricular volume (VOLs), decrease stroke volume (SV), decrease ejection fraction (EF) and decrease cardiac output (CO). This study shows that arteriovenous fistula influences directly to cardiac performance, so careful determination of dialysis option is required for the end stage renal failure patients with marginal heart function.