High-Output Heart Failure Associated With Arteriovenous Fistula

Arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are the preferred vascular access for hemodialysis, but they can cause high-output heart failure (HOHF) by imposing significant hemodynamic stress. Despite its clinical significance, AVF-related HOHF remains under-recognized in hemodialysis patients.

A 73-year-old woman on hemodialysis presented with progressive dyspnea. She had undergone upper-arm AVF surgery 1 year earlier. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed pericardial effusion and left ventricular enlargement. Right heart catheterization with simultaneous echocardiography showed a high cardiac index (5.5 L/min/m²) that promptly decreased to 3.3 L/min/m² during manual AVF compression. Two AVF flow-reduction procedures resulted in a reduction in left ventricular size and symptomatic improvement.

This case highlights the need to consider HOHF in hemodialysis patients presenting with unexplained heart failure. Hemodynamic assessment-echocardiography or cardiac catheterization with AVF compression-can confirm the diagnosis and guide management.

In suspected AVF-related HOHF, echocardiography with transient AVF flow reduction during hemodynamic testing can reverse the high-output state and support the diagnosis.