Role of the VEGF 936 gene polymorphism and VEGF-A levels in the late-term arteriovenous fistula thrombosis in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

PURPOSE

Vascular access is vital for hemodialysis patients. A major factor that facilitates arteriovenous (AV) fistula failure is stenosis and thrombosis due to intimal hyperplasia developing in the venous segment of AV fistula. It has been reported that VEGF accelerated re-endothelialization, reduction in intimal thickening, and/or mural thrombus formed in the injured vascular structures. In this study, we aimed to identify the effect of the VEGF 936 gene polymorphism and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) levels in the late period of AV fistula loss in hemodialysis patients.

METHODS

The study was carried out with a patient group of 42 individuals who experienced two or more fistula thrombosis in the late period after the AV fistula operation and also a control group of 38 patients who have not had any AV fistula thrombosis history for 3 years or more. All participants were assessed for VEGF-936C/T gene polymorphism and VEGF-A levels.

RESULTS

VEGF-936C/T genotypes were determined in the large proportion in the control group (31.6 %), while VEGF-936C/C genotypes were determined in a large proportion in the patient group (90.5 %). Individuals carrying the VEGF-936C/C genotype had an increased risk of 5.54 for getting AV fistula thrombosis. The VEGF-A levels of patient group (27.3 ± 43.5 pg/ml) were significantly lower than those of the control group (70.7 ± 53.1 pg/ml).

CONCLUSION

There is an increased risk of AV fistula thrombosis in individuals carrying the VEGF-936C/C genotype. The other renal replacement modalities should be considered in patients with this genotype. As a result, it will be possible to prevent the morbidity and mortality due to fistula failure.