If you have autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), related complications can have an affect on other organs and parts of the body.* The most commonly affected organs are the brain, heart, and liver.*

Brain 

A brain aneurysm occurs when a weak spot in the brain’s arterial wall bulges and fills with blood. If not immediately treated, this serious condition can lead to a stroke, brain damage, and even death.

• Brain aneurysms happen in about 10% of ADPKD patients.
• Brain aneurysms are more frequent in patients with ADPKD than those in the general population because the high blood pressure affects the weakened blood vessel walls.
• A ruptured aneurysm may cause bleeding called a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Its symptoms are a sudden unbearable headache, blurred or double vision, a stiff neck, sensitivity to light confusion, slurred speech and weakness, loss of consciousness, and/or convulsions. 

Heart 

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a group of diseases in which the heart or blood vessels are impaired. CVD includes coronary artery diseases (angina) and myocardial infarction (a heart attack), stroke, and peripheral artery diseases, like atherosclerosis. 

• Patients with ADPKD often have hypertension (high blood pressure), which increases the risk of CVD. 
• If you are at risk of developing CVD, you may be prescribed low-dose aspirin to reduce your blood clotting. You may also need to take statins, which are a group of drugs used to lower cholesterol levels.

• If you are at risk of developing CVD, it’s recommended to make some lifestyle changes, such as exercising more frequently, eating a balanced and healthy diet, and quitting smoking.

Liver

Cysts in other organs can be common for AKPKD patients—particularly in the liver. Liver cysts typically do not disturb normal liver function, but they can become infected or cause abdominal swelling, pain, and bloating. Infrequently, liver damage caused by cysts may lead to jaundice with yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes.

• Normally, treatment is not needed, and symptoms will go away on their own.
• In rare cases, surgery might be needed to drain a liver cyst if it is a source of perpetual and/or severe pain. 
• In an even rarer amount of cases, extreme liver swelling may occur, which will stop the liver from functioning. If this occurs, part of the liver may need to be removed, and/or a liver transplant may be necessary.

*NHS. (2019, Apr. 11). Complications, Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.