Abstract: 【Abstract】 Objective To evaluate the relationship between plasma total homocysteine concentration (tHcy) and intima-medial thickness of extracranial common carotid artery (IMT), and their roles in arterial-venous fistulae thrombosis in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Methods Based on the presence of arterial-venous fistulae thrombosis within 6 months, we assigned 120 MHD patients into arterial-venous fistulae thrombosis group (AVFT) or non-arterial-venous fistulae thrombosis group (NAVFT). IMT measurement using Phillips Iu22 Doppler Ultrasonics, and blood chemistry including plasma tHcy were assayed in all patients. Results In MHD patients, the frequency of hyperhomocysteinmia was 90%, which is 34.6 times higher than that in normal individuals (P <0.01). Plasma tHcy and the average IMT value were higher in AVFT group than in NAVFT group (P <0.01). The number of patients with plasma tHcy >40umol/L was more in AVFT group than in NAVFT group (P <0.05). Linear regression analysis showed a significant positive correlation between plasma tHcy and IMT (r =0.362, P <0.01). Conclusions Hyperhomocysteinmia presents frequently in MHD patients, and may be a risk factor for arterial-venous fistulae thrombosis in these patients.

Key words: Homocysteine, Intima-medial thickness of extracranial common carotid artery, Arterial-venous fistulae thrombosis