Abstract: 【Abstract】Stenosis is the main cause of occlusion and malfunction of arteriovenous fistula (AVF). Pathologically, AVF stenosis is characterized by intimal hyperplasia, of which the mechanism remains unclear. Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition results in plenty of myofibroblasts and extracellular matrix, which may relate to the pathological features of AVF stenosis. This paper summarizes the relationship between endothelialto- mesenchymal transition and AVF stenosis, providing a new idea useful for the understanding, clinical prevention and treatment of AVF stenosis.

Key words: hemodialysis, stenosis, endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition, intimal hyperplasia