Echocardiographic findings in long-term, long-hour hemodialysis patients

Clin Nephrol. 1996 Feb;45(2):104-10.

Abstract

This article describes the echocardiographic structural and functional findings in a cohort of 30 patients on ten or more years of uninterrupted long-hour (24 hours per week dialysis schedule) hemodialysis (mean duration 187.7 months, range 120 to 299 months). Cardiac structural analysis was remarkable for the prevalence of LVH (76%), very rarely asymmetric (3%). Hemoglobin and (log) plasma renin activity were determinants of the LV wall thickness ratio (r = -0.57 and 0.54, p = 0.003 and 0.044 respectively). Markers of systolic contractile function were frequently normal (100% MVCFS; 85% FSI). Diastolic ventricular compliance was abnormal in 59% of patients. Blood pressure history appeared important in determining LVH, but office/ABPM measures of BP were not. Patients after parathyroidectomy (PTx) had a smaller LVPWTN (8.68 mm/m2 without PTx cf 7.01 mm/m2 after PTx, p = 0.036). Left ventricular cavity size was rarely enlarged (10%), with hemoglobin (r = -0.47, p = 0.012) and PTH (r = -0.65, p < 0.001) the major determinants of EDDN. Left atrial diameter was increased in 77% of patients. Cardiac valvular calcification was seen in 50% of patients. Our findings show that despite good BP control without recourse to antihypertensive drugs, LVH with good LV systolic function is very common in these long-survivors.

MeSH terms

  • Aortic Valve / diagnostic imaging
  • Blood Pressure / physiology
  • Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory
  • Calcinosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Calcinosis / epidemiology
  • Calcinosis / etiology
  • Cohort Studies
  • Echocardiography*
  • Hemodialysis, Home*
  • Humans
  • Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / diagnostic imaging*
  • Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / epidemiology
  • Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / etiology
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / complications
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / therapy
  • Mitral Valve / diagnostic imaging
  • Myocardial Contraction / physiology
  • Prevalence
  • Time Factors
  • Ventricular Function, Left / physiology