Evaluation Of Intima-media Thickness Of Brachial Artery And Endothelial Function Patients With Maintenance Hemodialysis

Objective: The study examined the brachial artery intima-media thickness(IMT)and endothelium-dependent dilation(EDD) in patients with maintenance hemodialysi(sMHD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of ultrasonography in detecting IMT and endothelial function of brachial artery in patients with MHD.Methods: With high frequency ultrasound, we evaluated the brachial artery IMT and EDD in 42 patients with arterio-venous fistula of MHD. Of them, 16 had hypertention nephropathies, 11 had diabetic nephropathies and 15 had chronic glomerulonephritis. We also evaluated 20 healthy subjects. And measurements of brachial artery IMT and diameter were performed by high resolution ultrasonography during baseline, reactive hyperemia in 42 patients with MHD (AVF group and NAVF group) and 20 healthy subjects. Percent changes in brachial artery diameter induced by reactive hyperemia were calculated.Results:(1) With hemodialysis lasting less 12 months, brachial artery IMT,EDD and baseline diameter had no significant difference between in NAVF group and in AVF group(P>0.05); (2) With hemodialysis lasting over 12 months, brachial artery IMT and EDD in AVF group were significantly less than that in NAVF group(P <0.001); the baseline diameter of AVF group was significantly more than that in NAVF group (P<0.001). (3) With hemodialysis lasting less or over 12 months: Brachial artery EDD in AVF group and NAVF group were significantly less than that in healthy subjects(P <0.01);brachial artery IMT in NAVF group were significantly more than that in healthy subjects(P <0.01); (4) With hemodialysis lasting less or over 12 months: the baseline diameter of NAVF group were no significantly more than that in healthy subjects(P >0.05).Conclusions: Because of arterio-venous fistula, with time of hemodialysis changed, it is different in IMT and EDD in AVF group and NAVF group. With hemodialysis lasting less 12 months, brachial artery IMT and EDD had no significant difference between in NAVF group and in AVF group. With hemodialysis lasting over 12 months, brachial artery IMT and EDD in AVF group were significantly less than that in NAVF group. High requency ultrasound can evaluate IMT and endothelial function of brachial artery in patients with MHD.