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Review

High-output heart failure from arteriovenous dialysis access: A structured approach to diagnosis and management

Maximilian C. Volk, DO, Bianca Honnekeri, MD, Joanna Ghobrial, MD, Mazen Hanna, MD, Sanjeeb Bhattacharya, MD, Lee Kirksey, MD, J. Emanuel Finet, MD and Heba Wassif, MD, MPH
Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine June 2025, 92 (6) 362-371; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3949/ccjm.92a.24114
Maximilian C. Volk
Department of Internal Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
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Bianca Honnekeri
Department of Internal Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
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Joanna Ghobrial
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH; Assistant Professor, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
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Mazen Hanna
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH; Clinical Assistant Professor, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
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Sanjeeb Bhattacharya
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH; Clinical Instructor, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
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Lee Kirksey
Vice Chair, Department of Vascular Surgery, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH; Clinical Assistant Professor, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
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J. Emanuel Finet
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH; Clinical Assistant Professor, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
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Heba Wassif
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH; Assistant Professor, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
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    Figure 1

    Pathophysiology of arteriovenous high-output heart failure. Creation of arteriovenous access, with mixing of arterial and venous blood, leads to increased shunting into the lower-resistance venous system, resulting in decreased cardiac afterload and increased venous return. These changes impact the right and left ventricles, contributing to the development of high-output heart failure.

    LV = left ventricle; RV = right ventricle

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    Figure 2

    Algorithm for evaluating arteriovenous (AV) access–associated high-output heart failure (HOHF). The evaluation process begins with a high clinical suspicion. Initial assessment is with noninvasive modalities, followed by invasive diagnostic techniques if noninvasive methods are inconclusive or to confirm the diagnosis definitively.

    Qa = vascular access blood flow; RSVP = right ventricular systolic pressure

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    TABLE 1

    Common causes of high-output heart failure

    CauseMechanism
    ObesityVasoactive adipokines released from visceral adipose tissue lead to peripheral vasodilation, decreased systemic vascular resistance, and increased cardiac output
    Paracrine release of fatty acids from ectopic adipose tissue can result in direct lipotoxicity-mediated alterations in myocardial metabolism, leading to negative cardiac remodeling5
    End-stage liver disease (cirrhosis)Systemic circulation of vasodilators from increased portal pressures results in splanchnic vasodilation and overall decreased systemic vascular resistance and increased cardiac output8
    Arteriovenous shuntingConnection to the lower-resistance venous system decreases both afterload and systemic vascular resistance while increasing venous return to the right and left ventricle, leading to increased cardiac output7
    Hypercapnic lung disease (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, connective tissue disease, bronchiectasis)Long-standing hypercapnia-induced peripheral vasodilation results in decreased systemic vascular resistance, leading to increased cardiac output7
    Sepsis (acute and long-standing)Interleukin 1, interleukin 6, and tumor necrosis factor–induced endocapillary leak and peripheral vasodilation decrease systemic vascular resistance, leading to increased cardiac output9
    Anemia (severe)Increased renal nitric oxide production leads to peripheral vasodilation, lower systemic vascular resistance, and increased cardiac output9
    HyperthyroidismIncreased thyroid hormone production causes increased cardiac contractility, increased heart rate, and decreased systemic vascular resistance, leading to increased cardiac output10
    PregnancyPeripartum increased stroke volume, chronotropy, and increased endothelial synthesis of vasodilating prostaglandins result in decreased systemic vascular resistance and increased cardiac output11
    Vitamin B1 deficiency, beriberiVitamin B1 is a necessary cofactor for aerobic metabolism; severe deficiency results in a switch to anaerobic metabolism, leading to a buildup of pyruvate and lactic acid, causing systemic vasodilation, decreased systemic vascular resistance, and increased cardiac output9
    Myeloproliferative diseasePoorly understood; proposed mechanisms include myeloproliferative neoplasm causing increased metabolism by malignant cells, extramedullary hematopoiesis, or anemia12
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Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine: 92 (6)
Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine
Vol. 92, Issue 6
1 Jun 2025
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High-output heart failure from arteriovenous dialysis access: A structured approach to diagnosis and management
Maximilian C. Volk, Bianca Honnekeri, Joanna Ghobrial, Mazen Hanna, Sanjeeb Bhattacharya, Lee Kirksey, J. Emanuel Finet, Heba Wassif
Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine Jun 2025, 92 (6) 362-371; DOI: 10.3949/ccjm.92a.24114

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High-output heart failure from arteriovenous dialysis access: A structured approach to diagnosis and management
Maximilian C. Volk, Bianca Honnekeri, Joanna Ghobrial, Mazen Hanna, Sanjeeb Bhattacharya, Lee Kirksey, J. Emanuel Finet, Heba Wassif
Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine Jun 2025, 92 (6) 362-371; DOI: 10.3949/ccjm.92a.24114
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  • Article
    • ABSTRACT
    • DUE TO BLOOD SHUNTING
    • THE HIGHER THE FLOW, THE HIGHER THE RISK
    • DIAGNOSIS: A STRUCTURED APPROACH
    • INVASIVE ASSESSMENT: RIGHT HEART CATHETERIZATION
    • TREATMENT OPTIONS
    • PROMPT DIAGNOSIS NEEDED
    • DISCLOSURES
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