The Effect of Elective Ligation of the Arteriovenous Fistula on Cardiac and Renal Functions in Kidney Transplant Recipients

After kidney transplantation, it is still not well established what we should do with the functioning arteriovenous fistula of kidney transplant recipients with stable renal function. To close or not to close: this question remains debatable. In this prospective study including 43 kidney transplant recipients, we have investigated the impact of the surgical closure of functioning arteriovenous fistula on blood pressure levels, as well as on the cardiac and renal functions.