title: Dimensions of arteriovenous fistulas in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Aneurysms are known manifestations of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). We investigated whether the dimensions of arteriovenous fistulas created for performance of haemodialysis were affected by the original disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  The lumen diameter of the fistula was studied by ultrasound in 19 patients with ADPKD and in 19 control patients. The patients' sex, age, the duration of their fistulas, haemoglobin values and blood pressure levels were similar in both groups. The monitoring was performed along the forearm part of the vein, and the maximal diameter was measured. The diameters at the two needle insertion sites were also measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The ADPKD patients had a significantly higher fistula diameter than the control patients: 12 (range 8-19) mm versus 8 (range 6-24) mm at the widest level (p = 0. 003). There were no significant differences in the diameters at the needle insertion sites.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The receiving veins of arteriovenous fistulas in patients with ADPKD have an abnormality that causes a greater than normal dilatation in response to the arterialization. We postulate that this phenomenon is linked with the increased prevalence of aneurysms in ADPKD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hadimeri
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Hadimeri
authors.forename: P O
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: Attman
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nyberg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000783:Aneurysm / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D001158:Arteries / Q000473:pathology; D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009339:Needles; D016891:Polycystic Kidney, Autosomal Dominant / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D015995:Prevalence; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D017211:Treatment Failure; D014680:Veins / Q000473:pathology