Effect of Anti-Hypertensive Medication History on Arteriovenous Fistula Maturation Outcomes.

BACKGROUND

The arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the preferred vascular access for hemodialysis. However, approximately half of AVFs fail to mature. The use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-Is), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), and calcium channel blockers (CCBs) exerts favorable endothelial effects and may promote AVF maturation. We tested associations of ACE-I and ARBs, CCBs, beta-blockers, and diuretics with the maturation of newly created AVFs.

METHODS

We evaluated 602 participants from the Hemodialysis Fistula Maturation Study, a multi-center, prospective cohort study of AVF maturation. We ascertained the use of each medication class within 45 days of AVF creation surgery. We defined maturation outcomes by clinical use within 9 months of surgery or 4 weeks of initiating hemodialysis.

RESULTS

Unassisted AVF maturation failure without intervention occurred in 54.0% of participants, and overall AVF maturation failure (with or without intervention) occurred in 30.1%. After covariate adjustment, CCB use was associated with a 25% lower risk of overall AVF maturation failure (95% CI 3%-41% lower) but a non-significant 10% lower risk of unassisted maturation failure (95% CI 23% lower to 5% higher). ACE-I/ARB, beta-blocker, and diuretic use was not significantly associated with AVF maturation outcomes. None of the antihypertensive medication classes were associated with changes in AVF diameter or blood flow over 6 weeks following surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

CCB use may be associated with a lower risk of overall AVF maturation failure. Further studies are needed to determine whether CCBs might play a causal role in improving AVF maturation outcomes.