Aerobic Exercise Increases Vascular Diameter of Arteriovenous Fistula in Hemodialysis Patients

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> A healthy arteriovenous fistula (AVF) depends on adequate vessel diameter which can be maintained through aerobic exercises. A randomized crossover study was conducted to evaluate the acute effects of aerobic exercise on a cycle ergometer on AVF vascular diameter, through ultrasound, and on blood pressure (BP). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Eight hemodialysis (HD) patients completed 2 different occasions in random order with a 7-day washout: (a) exercising moment, in which 30-min aerobic exercise was performed on a cycle ergometer; and (b) resting moment, which was performed 30-min with the patient sitting in a chair. Both occasions were evaluated 1-h before the second weekly HD day. <b><i>Results:</i></b> A significant increase in AVF vascular diameter induced by 30-min aerobic exercise was found (1.15 ± 0.56 to 1.47 ± 0.66 cm; <i>p</i> = 0.042), whereas systolic (<i>p</i> = 0.105) and diastolic BP (<i>p</i> = 0.366) did not change. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> We can conclude that acute aerobic exercise was shown to be effective in improving the AVF vascular diameter in HD patients. The aerobic exercise benefits in endothelium-dependent vasodilation which may be an effective, practical, and economic strategy to maintain AVF patency.