Abstract: Objective To discuss the relationship between blood flow in arteriovenous fistula (AVFB) and levels of inflammatory factors, and to analyze the effect of AVFB on cardiovascular morbidity in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Methods A total of 45 HD with autologous arteriovenous fistula treated in the blood purification center of our hospital during Jan. to Jun. 2012 were recruited in this study (HD group). AVFB was measured during dialysis by the dialysis monitor. Blood samples were obtained from HD patients before the dialysis session and from 26 healthy individuals as the control group. Serum CRP, TNF and IL-6 were measured by ELISA. Patients were followed up for cardiovascular disease for 12 months. Results Serum CRP, TNF and IL-6 was 4.85±1.32 mg/L, 1.29±0.14 ng/L, and 2.41±0.55 ng/L, respectively, in HD group before dialysis, and was 1.49±0.27 mg/L, 0.56±0.33 ng/L and 1.17±0.16 ng/L, respectively, in control group, significantly higher in HD group than those in control group (P<0.05). During the follow-up period of 12 months, cardiovascular disease was found in 10 cases (22.22%), in which serum CRP and IL-6 were significantly higher than those in the cases without cardiovascular disease (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that IL-6 was the independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Spearman correlation analysis demonstrated that AVFB was positively correlated with IL-6. Linear regression analysis indicated that the prevalence of cardiovascular disease increased when AVFB was >1067.25 ml/min. Conclusion AVFB was positively correlated with serum IL-6, and higher AVFB may be involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease through its effect on IL-6 level.

Key words: Arteriovenous fistula, Blood flow, Inflammation factors, Regression analysis