A Case of Septic Pulmonary Embolism in an End-Stage Renal Failure Patient with Infected Arterio-venous Graft for Hemodialysis / 대한신장학회지

ABSTRACT

Septic pulmonary embolism (SPE) is different from non-infectious thromboembolism in that it causes pulmonary arterial obstruction and inflammation by infectious emboli from various sources. There are increased risks of SPE in patients with chronic kidney disease because of decreased immunity and frequent venous puncture with the use of indwelling venous catheters or arterio-venous graft (AVG). However, SPE related with AVG infection in end-stage renal failure patient is very rare. Recently, we experienced a typical case of septic pulmonary embolism occurring in a 57-year-old man with infected AVG during hemodialysis. The patient had started hemodialysis 10 years ago due to diabetic end stage renal failure. Due to functional failure of the arterio-venous fistula, hemodialysis had been performed through an AVG on the upper left arm 3 years before admission.