Coagulation and Fibrinolysis in Amyloid and Non-amyloid Hemodialysis Patients: Assessment of Local Hemostatic Kinetics Within Arteriovenous Fistulas

Abstract

This study was designed to determine whether systemic amyloidosis is an additional risk factor for he mostatic abnormalities in hemodialysis patients and to evaluate local alterations of the hemostatic process within the patent-functional native arteriovenous fistula (AVF). Concentrations of in vivo molecular hemostatic markers, including prothrombin fragment_{1 +2} (PF 1.2), thrombin antithrombin III complex (TAT) and plasmin-α ₂ antiplasmin complex (PAP) were determined in plasma samples taken simultaneously from AVFs and contralat eral upper extremity large veins of hemodialysis patients associated with and without systemic amyloidosis. Seven amyloid (2 women, 5 men, aged 34 ± 6 years), and 13 non-amyloid patients (4 women, 9 men, aged 36 ± 7 years) on maintenance hemodialysis and 20 healthy vol unteers (8 women, 12 men, aged 36 ± 9 years) were in cluded in the study. Peripheral vein PF 1.2 and TAT lev els showed no difference between amyloid and non- amyloid patient groups, but both were significantly higher than control group. PF 1.2 and TAT levels were also found to be elevated in fistulas when compared with that of peripheral vein in both amyloid and non-amyloid pa tient groups. Determination of PAP in peripheral veins of each group revealed significantly higher levels in amyloid hemodialysis patients than in non-amyloid patients and controls. PAP levels were significantly higher in fistulas of amyloid patients than in non-amyloid patients. In con clusion, this study confirms enhanced coagulation and fibrinolysis in hemodialysis patients and excessive fibri nolysis in amyloid patients with remarkable contribu tion of AVF on enhanced coagulation and fibrinolysis.