There are several potential explanations for the development of PHT in patients with ESRD. Hormonal and metabolic derangement associated with ESRD might lead to vasoconstriction of pulmonary vessels and increased pulmonary vascular resistance. Values of PAP may be further increased by high cardiac output resulting from the AV access itself, worsened by commonly occurring anemia and fluid overload. Despite almost five decades of HD therapy via a surgically created, often large, hemodynamically significant AV access the long-term impact of this intervention on the pulmonary circulation has received little attention.