Venous aneurysm complicating arteriovenous fistula access and matrix metalloproteinases

INTRODUCTION An arteriovenous fistula (AVF) for placed for hemodialysis may be burdened by one particular complication-the formation of a venous aneurysm. It has been shown that matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) could represent markers of disease in both venous and arterial vessels. MATERIALS AND METHODS This case study reports a rare case of enormous venous aneurysm-correlated MMP and NGAL levels in a woman with an AVF. RESULTS Significantly higher levels of plasma MMP-1, MMP-8, MMP-9, and NGAL were detected in this patient during aneurysmal evaluation before the surgery; these levels significantly decreased 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery. CONCLUSION MMP and NGAL levels could represent a marker of aneurysmal disease, and their plasma evaluation could help physicians to stratify the risk of complications in patients with an AVF.