THE EFFECT OF AN ARTERIOVENOUS FISTULA ON RENAL HEMODYNAMICS AND ELECTROLYTE EXCRETION 1

Abstract

Occlusion of an established arteriovenous fistula results in an increased renal excretion of Na. This accompanies the well-known rise in diastolic arterial pressure and slowing of the cardiac rate, despite no change in glomerular filtration rate, renal blood flow or renal venous pressure. The latter values are usually normal and are not altered significantly by surgical repair of the fistula. The data suggest that renal excretion of Na may be conditioned by the degree of filling of some portion of the arterial tree.