Comparison of the effects of hemodialysis and hemodiafiltration on left ventricular hypertrophy in end-stage renal disease patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Whether hemodiafiltration (HDF) is better than conventional hemodialysis (HD) in improving left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), defined as reduction of the left ventricular mass index (LVMi) and increasing the ejection fraction (EF), is unclear. A systematic literature search was performed. Primary outcome was the mean difference between pre- and post-procedural LVMi. Secondary outcome was the mean difference in EF. Seven studies with a total of 845 patients were included. The pooled mean difference between pre-and post-procedural LVMi was −8.0 g/m² (95% confidence interval [CI] −13.1, −2.8). On subgroup analysis, the mean differences between pre- and post-procedural LVMi for HD and HDF were −6.7 g/m² (95% CI −14.5, 1.1) and −9.3 g/m² (95% CI −16.3, −2.3), respectively (P for subgroups = .62). Pooled mean difference between pre- and post-procedural EF was 2.4% (95% CI −1.8, 6.5). On subgroup analysis, the mean differences between pre- and post-procedural EF for HD and HDF were 3.6% (95% CI −2.7, 9.8) and 2.0% (95% CI 2.9, 6.8), respectively (P for subgroups = .68). On meta-regression, age (Beta −0.35 ± 0.05, P < .001) and longer dialysis duration (Beta −0.12 ± 0.02, P < .001) were associated with lower mean difference between pre-and post-procedural EF. No significant effects on changes in LVMi and EF were observed with HDF compared with conventional HD.     

Left ventricular mass in hypertensive patients with mild‐to‐moderate reduction of renal function

Aim: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is an independent predictor of cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between LV mass and mild‐to‐moderate renal dysfunction in a group of non‐diabetic hypertensives, free of CV diseases, participating in the Renal Dysfunction in Hypertension (REDHY) study. Methods: Patients with diabetes, a body mass index (BMI) of more than 35 kg/m², secondary hypertension, CV diseases and a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of less than 30 mL/min per 1.73 m² were excluded. The final sample included 455 patients, who underwent echocardiographic examination and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Results: There was a significant trend for a stepwise increase in LV mass, indexed by both body surface area (LVMI) and height elevated to 2.7 (LVMH^2.7), with the declining renal function, that remained statistically significant after correction for potential confounders. The prevalence of LVH, defined either as LVMI of 125 g/m² or more or as LVMH^2.7 of 51 g/m^2.7 or more, was higher in subjects with lower values of GFR than in those with normal renal function (P < 0.001 in both cases). The multiple regression analysis confirmed that the inverse association between GFR and LVM was independent of confounding factors. Conclusion: The present study confirms the high prevalence of LVH in patients with mild or moderate renal dysfunction. In the patients studied (all with a GFR of 30 mL/min per 1.73 m²), the association between LVM and GFR was independent of potential confounders, including 24 h blood pressure load. Taking into account the negative prognostic impact of LVH, further studies focusing on a deeper comprehension of the mechanisms underlying the development of LVH in chronic kidney disease patients are needed.     

The association of echocardiographic parameters on renal outcomes in chronic kidney disease

BackgroundPatients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) often have structural abnormalities of the heart due to pressure and volume overload. The aim of this study was to evaluate associations between echocardiographic parameters and renal outcomes (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] slope and progression to dialysis) in patients with stage 3–5 CKD.MethodsThis longitudinal study enrolled 419 patients. Changes in renal function were assessed using the eGFR slope. Rapid renal progression was defined as an eGFR slope < −3 mL/min/1.73 m²/year, and the renal endpoint was defined as commencing dialysis.ResultsIncreased left atrial diameter (LAD), ratio of left ventricular mass to body surface area (LVM/BSA), ratio of LVM to height^2.7 (LVM/ht^2.7), and ratio of observed to predicted LVM (o/p LVM) were associated with eGFR slope in an adjusted model, but left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was not. Furthermore, LAD ≥ 4.7 cm, LVM/BSA > 115 g/m² in males and > 95 g/m² in females, and LVM/ht^2.7 > 48 g/ht^2.7 in males and > 44 g/ht^2.7 in females were correlated with progression to dialysis, but o/p LVM and LVEF were not. The maximum change in χ² change to predict renal outcomes was observed for LAD, followed by LVM/BSA and LVM/ht^2.7.ConclusionsA large LAD and increased LVM, regardless of how it was measured (LVM/BSA, LVM/ht^2.7 and o/p LVM), were correlated with adverse renal outcomes in patients with CKD stage 3–5. LAD had superior prognostic value to LVM and LVEF.     

Cardiac Valve Calcifications and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Hemodialysis Patients

Cardiac valve calcification (VC) is a common finding in end-stage renal disease patients. It was shown recently that VC is an independent predictor for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in peritoneal dialysis patients. In hemodialysis (HD) patients, VC was associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, but after adjusting for other cardiovascular risk factors and complications, as well as left ventricular mass index (LVMI), it lost significance. The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between VC and left ventricular hypertrophy in hemodialysis patients. Echocardiographic examination with mitral and aortic valves assessment and LVMI calculation was performed in 65 HD patients ages 49 ± 12, with duration of HD therapy 38 ± 32 months. VC were found in 32 of 65 patients (49%)—Group VC(+), mitral valve calcifications (MVC) in 10, aortic valve calcifications (AVC) in 9, and both valves calcifications (MVC + AVC) in 13 patients. Patients with VC were older, on HD therapy were longer, had higher systolic and pulse pressure, and had higher LVMI. Patients with both VCs had the highest LVMI. No significant differences were found with respect to Ca, P, PTH, and mean Ca × P product, but the incidence of Ca × P product above 4.43 mmol²/L² was higher in VC(+) compared with those without VCs. VC coexists with left ventricular hypertrophy, particularly when both valves are calcified. Even short-lasting incidents of increased Ca × P product may lead to cardiac VC.     

Efficacy of endoventricular circular patch plasty

Objectives: We report hemodynamic and clinical results of our series of endoventricular circular patch plasty (Dor operation) and consider some advantages of this procedure for patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. Methods: Between 1996 and 2001,23 consecutive patients with left ventricular aneurysm and/or ischemic cardiomyopathy after myocardial infarction who underwent Dor operation were included in this study. Hemodynamic and clinical results of Dor operation were analyzed periodically. Patients were divided into two groups according to the extent of asynergy, more than 60% or not, i.e., an ischemic cardiomyopathy group (ICM group) or a simple left ventricular aneurysm group (sLVA group). Results: Hospital mortality was 4.4%. Postoperative New York Heart Association functional class was improved in all survivors to class I or II. Postoperative ejection fraction (EF) increased and postoperative left ventricular (LV) volume decreased in all survivors. In both groups, early and 1 year postoperative EF increased significantly. Additionally, end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes decreased significantly in the early postoperative period. Postoperative LV volume had re-enlarged in the cases in which preoperative left ventricular end-systolic volume index was more than 90 mL/m², though left ventricular ejection fraction was maintained or rather improved at 1 year postoperatively. The survival rates after 3 years of the operation in the sLVA and ICM groups were 85.7% and 81.3%. Conclusion: Though patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy with severe LV dysfunction may benefit the most from Dor operation, postoperative LV re-dilatation may deteriorate late mortality. At operation, whether optimal LV size and shape can be reconstructed and the timing of operation are the important issues because they affect prognoses.     

Cardiac impact of the arteriovenous fistula after kidney transplantation: a case‐controlled,match‐paired study

In kidney transplant (KT) recipients, cardiac impact of the persistence of an asymptomatic arteriovenous fistula (AVF) for hemodialysis has not been fully elucidated. Seventy‐six patients (mean age: 49 years) without history of diabetes or cardiovascular disease underwent an echocardiography. Thirty‐eight had a functioning AVF and were match‐paired for age, gender and KT duration. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was significantly higher in patients with functioning AVF: 135.1 ± 30.3 vs. 112.4 ± 28 g/m² (P = 0.001). Exposure to AVF increased the risk of developing high LVH fourfold. Search for a dose‐effect of AVF flow revealed a trend towards increasing LVMI with higher flow: 142.6 ± 30 vs. 126.9 ± 23.9 g/m² (P = 0.084) (median flow of the population as cut‐off). Other significant changes were observed in left ventricular dimensions: greater end diastole‐ and systole diameters, both larger left and right atria, and left atrium diameter. Our study suggests that, in stable asymptomatic KT patients, functioning AVF has significant impact on cardiac mass, cardiac index and left ventricular dimensions. The effects on morbidity and mortality were to be investigated.     

Surgery for Chronic Left Ventricular Aneurysm: Benefits and side effects

Seventy patients who underwent elective resection of symptomatic postinfarction apico-anterior left ventricular (LV) aneurysm with or without coronary revascularization are reviewed. The early (?30 day) mortality was 5.7%. Mural thrombosis occurred in 29 cases (41.4%), unrelated to the degree of preoperative LV impairment and predictable from preoperative LV angiography in only seven cases. The response to surgery comprised significant overall improvement of global LV ejection fraction (LVEF) during rest and of all variables in stress testing. This LVEF recovery correlated significantly with that of peak ejections rate, a variable of myocardial contractility. Contrastingly, right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) at rest decreased slightly but significantly without correlation to preoperative RVEF or LVEF. In comparisons between patients with congestive heart failure or angina at rest as dominant symptom, the former group showed greater depression of preoperative watt and LVEF but better postoperative recovery of these variables, while right ventricular deterioration was significant only in the latter. Postoperative recovery was best in patients with poor preoperative LV function (LVEF ? 20%), even when surgery comprised only aneurysmectomy in isolated but ungraftable LAD disease (5 cases). The observed RV deterioration may be ‘nonspecific', but it must be kept in mind as a side effect of the operation, as it detracts unpredictably from postoperative ventricular recovery. Patients with well preserved preoperative LVEF, small LV aneurysm and marginal expected postaneurysmectomy changes according to LaPlace's law are probably at risk, and surgery should then instead be directed towards preserving the remaining viable myocardium by direct revascularization.     

Plasma adiponectin concentration and left ventricular hypertrophy in kidney transplant patients

Adamczak M, B?ach A, Kolonko A, Szotowska M, Chudek J, Franek E, Wi?cek A. Plasma adiponectin concentration and left ventricular hypertrophy in kidney transplant patients.
Clin Transplant 2011: 25: 561–568. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: Background: Low plasma adiponectin concentration is associated with more frequent occurrence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and more exaggerated intima‐media thickness of common carotid artery (IMT). IMT is an early surrogate marker of atherosclerosis. This study aimed to assess the relationship between plasma adiponectin concentration and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and IMT in kidney transplant patients (KTP). Methods: In 88 adult KTP, plasma adiponectin concentration, LVMI, and IMT were estimated. LVH was defined as LVMI >110 or >125 g/m² for females and males, respectively. Data presented are means and 95% CI. Results: Plasma adiponectin concentration was similar in KTP with (n = 42) or without LVH (n = 46) (13.5 [11.4–15.6] vs. 13.1 [11.6–14.6] μg/mL, respectively), as well as in KTP subgroups divided according to the IMT value tertiles (p = 0.42) (11.7 [10.0–13.3], 14.2 [11.7–16.6], and 14.0 [11.7–16.4] μg/mL in the lowest, middle, and highest tertiles, respectively). Plasma glucose concentrations were similar in KTPs with LVH or without LVH. No significant correlation was found between plasma adiponectin concentration and both LVMI (R = ?0.02; p = 0.87) and IMT (R = 0.09; p = 0.38), respectively. Conclusion: Results of this cross‐sectional study do not confirm the roles of low adiponectin and high glucose in the pathogenesis of LVH and atherosclerosis in KTP.     

Effects of Dynamic Cardiomyoplasty on Left Ventricular Systolic and Diastolic Performance in an Acute Canine Model

M _w) showed a signifi-cant increase with latissimus dorsi muscle (LDM) stimulation (postwrap non-stimulation 59.1 ± 6.3, postwrap stimulation 98.6 ± 9.7 erg cm⁻³· 10³; P < 0.01), and the x-intercept (V _o) was unchanged; these were utilized as the indicators of left ventricular systolic function. The constant of pressure decay (tau) increased after LDM wrap (prewrap 45.8 ± 6.0, postwrap nonstimulation 69.3 ± 10.3, postwrap stimulation 72.3 ± 13.9 ms; P < 0.05), and the peak filling rate was unchanged after LDM wrap, which were utilized as the indicators of diastolic function. We concluded that classic dynamic cardiomyoplasty is effective in assisting systolic cardiac function, but may to some degree have a detrimental effect on the diastolic cardiac function. (Received for publication on Mar. 7, 1997; accepted on Jan. 6, 1998)     

Controlled randomized study comparing the cardiovascular profile of everolimus with tacrolimus in renal transplantation

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) regression after kidney transplantation may be influenced by immunosuppression. In a 24‐month open‐label, multicenter, phase‐IV study, 71 kidney allograft recipients without previous acute rejection, showing eGFR >40 ml/min and proteinuria <500 mg/day and between 6 months and 3 years post‐transplantation, were randomized to receive everolimus (EVR) + mycophenolic acid (MPA) or were maintained on tacrolimus (TAC) + MPA. The aim was to assess whether the conversion to EVR could reduce left ventricular mass index (LVMi) at month‐24. LVMi at month‐24 decreased without differences between groups (TAC: 54.0 vs. 48.2 g/m^2.7; EVR: 53.4 vs. 49.4 g/m^2.7). The LVH prevalence at baseline and month‐24 was 59.4% and 40.6% in TAC group and 57.1% and 50.0% in EVR group. EVR conversion was associated with nearly disappearance of concentric LVH and concentric remodeling pattern. The procollagen type I N‐terminal propeptide at month‐24 showed greater reduction in EVR group (51.6 vs. 58.2 mg/l; P = 0.004). Conversion from TAC to EVR was associated with a significant improvement of eGFR (P = 0.0315, ancova ). Adverse events were similar between groups without rejection episode or graft loss. Conversion from TAC to EVR did not further reduce LVMi after 24 months, although its effect on concentric LVH deserves further investigation (NCT01169701).     

Left ventricular remodeling following ischemic mitral valve repair: Predictive factors

Objectives. Annuloplasty is the most common surgical procedure for ischemic mitral regurgitation (MR) that improves symptoms but is also subjected to high incidence of recurrent MR. One of the reasons of recurrent MR could be further left ventricular (LV) remodeling. Design. The study population consisted of 195 patients with ischemic MR. Mitral valve repair and bypass surgery was performed between 2000 and 2006. Results. LV end diastolic diameter (LVEDD) increased in 30.3% of patients in one year following mitral repair. Multivariate ANOVA analysis revealed that if LVEDD index (LVEDDi) before surgery is less than 25 mm/m², the probability for LVEDDi to diminish or to stay at the same range is 84.6% higher, than in the case of preoperative LVEDDi ≥25 mm/m² and other predictive variables. Conclusions. Predictive factors for further LV remodeling after ischemic mitral repair 1 year after surgery are preoperative LVEDDi, preoperative LV end systolic diameter index, tricuspid regurgitation grade before surgery, and early postoperative MR grade.     

Assessed value of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T for cardiovascular disease among CKD patients

Objective To analyze the relationship between serum high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) among non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, and to further explore its value of evaluating and predicting CVD in this population. Methods Five hundred and fifty-seven non-dialysis CKD patients were involved in this cross-sectional study. The relationship between serum hs-cTnT and CVD was analyzed using comparison between groups and regression analysis, and its value on assessing cardiac structure and function was evaluated by ROC curves. Results Median level of hs-cTnT was 13 (7–29) ng/L, with 1.7% undetectable, 46.4% greater than 99th percentile of the general population. Multivariate analysis suggested that compared with the lowest quartile of hs-cTnT, the highest quartile was approximately six times as likely to develop into LVH (OR, 6.515; 95% CI, 3.478–12.206, p?<?0.05) and 18 times as likely to progress to left ventricular diastolic dysfunction(OR, 18.741; 95% CI, 2.422–145.017, p?<?0.05). And Ln cTnT level had a more modest association with LVEF (OR, ?1.117; 95% CI, ?5.839 to ?0.594; p?<?0.05). When evaluated as a screening test, the area under the curve of ROC curves for hs-cTnT was 0.718, 0.788 and 0.736, respectively (p?<?0.05). With a specificity of 90% as a diagnostic criterion, the value of hs-cTnT to evaluate LVH, LVEF?Conclusions In CKD non-dialysis population, hs-cTnT and NT-proBNP were valuable for evaluating LVH, left ventricular systolic dysfunction and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.     

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Myocardial Remodeling in Hemodialysis Patients

Background. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is an independent risk factor for morbidity/mortality in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD). Our study aimed to identify prevalence as well as independent risk factors that contribute to the development of LV geometric remodeling in our HD patients. Methods. The left ventricles of 116 HD patients were classified echocardiographically into four different geometric patterns on the basis of LV mass and relative wall thickness. Furthermore, we measured inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter and its collapsibility index (CI) by echocardiography. Finally, we modeled a stepwise multiple regression analysis to determine the predictors of LV geometry.?Results. Our study provides evidence that HD patients had a prevalence of abnormal LV geometry in 92% and LVH in 81%. We found all four geometric models of LV. Most dominant were eccentric LVH. Concentric LVH was observed in 37, normal geometry (NG) in 9, and concentric remodeling (CR) in 13 of HD patients. Mean arterial blood pressure was significantly higher in the cLVH group (95 ± 10 mmHg) than in the NG and CR groups (81.6 ± 12.3 and 80 ± 11.8, respectively, p < 0.001). The cLVH and eCLVH groups had significantly lower mean hemoglobin (10.3 ± 1.4g/dL and 10.6 ± 1g/dL, respectively) compared with the NG group (11.9 ± 1.4g/dL), p < 0.001. Furthermore, interdialytic weight gain (kg) was significantly higher in eCLVH group (3.13 ± 0.8) than in NG group (2.3 ± 1.1), p < 0.001. Mean IVC index of the eLVH group (10.83 ± 2.07 mm/m²) was significantly higher than corresponding indexes of NG (10.83 ± 2.07 mm/m²), CR (8.31 ± 1.32 mm/m²) and cLVH (8.12 ± 2.06 mm/m²) groups (p < 0.001 for each comparisons). Conclusion. Mean arterial pressure, hemoglobin, IVC index, and interdialytic weight gain were found to be independent predictors of LV geometry (R² = 0.147; p < 0.001) in HD patients.     

Effect of left ventricular assist device implantation on right ventricular function: Assessment based on right ventricular pressure–volume curves

Right ventricular (RV) failure is significantly associated with morbidity and mortality after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. However, it remains unclear whether LVAD implantation could worsen RV function. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effect of LVAD implantation on RV function by comparing RV energetics derived from the RV pressure–volume curve between before and after LVAD implantation. This exploratory observational study was performed between September 2016 and January 2018 at a national center in Japan. Twenty-two patients who underwent LVAD implantation were included in the analysis. We measured RV energetics parameters: RV stroke work index (RVSWI), which was calculated by integrating the area within the RV pressure–volume curve; RV minute work index (RVMWI), which was calculated as RVSWI × heart rate; and right ventriculo–arterial coupling, which was estimated as RV stroke volume/RV end-systolic volume. We compared RV energetics between before and after LVAD implantation. Although RVSWI was similar [424.4 mm Hg · mL/m² (269.5-510.3) vs. 379.9 mm Hg · mL/m² (313.1-608.8), P = 0.485], RVMWI was significantly higher after LVAD implantation [29 834.1 mm Hg · mL/m²/min (18 272.2-36 357.1) vs. 38 544.8 mm Hg · mL/m²/min (29 016.0-57 282.8), P = 0.001], corresponding to a significantly higher cardiac index [2.0 L/min/m² (1.4-2.2) vs. 3.7 L/min/m² (3.3-4.1), P < 0.001] to match LVAD flow. Right ventriculo–arterial coupling was significantly higher after LVAD implantation [0.360 (0.224-0.506) vs. 0.480 (0.343-0.669), P = 0.025], suggesting that the efficiency of RV performance improved. In conclusion, higher RVMWI with higher cardiac index to match LVAD flow and improved efficiency of RV performance indicate that LVAD implantation might not worsen RV function.     

Norepinephrine exerts an inotropic effect during the early phase of human septic shock

Background

We conducted this study to investigate whether norepinephrine increases cardiac contractility when administered during the early phase of septic shock.

Left ventricular mass index reduction early after an isolated aortic valve replacement with St Jude medical 19A-HP

Objectives: It has been reported that the left ventricular mass index (LVMI) for the hypertrophic myocardium is reduced at an early stage following surgery. In this study, those factors affecting the changes in early postoperative LVMI were investigated in cases in which a St. Jude Medical 19A-HP (19HP) mechanical heart valve was used.Methods: We studied 16 consecutive patients with pure aortic stenosis undergoing isolated aortic valve replacement using a 19HP between January 1994 and July 2001. The patients were all female, aged 64±6 years, with a body surface area of 1.44±0.10 m² and preoperative echocardiography at 4.2±3.3 days before and 16.3±10.2 days after operation, and cardiac catheterization within a mean epriod of one month before operation. The correlations between the decrease of LVMI at 16.3±10.2 days after operation and perioperative parameters were determined.Results: There was significant LVMI regression postoperative (15±12%,p=0.01), and only a significant negative correlation between the decrease of LVMI and preoperative left ventricular pressure (LVp) [r=−0.74,p<0.01]. There was, no effective LVMI reduction in the high preoperative LVp group (210 mmHg).Conclusion: It is expected that in the high LVp group, huge wall stress was being applied to the left ventricular muscle immediately before surgery and in the early period after surgery. Preoperative LVp is an important index for determining the surgical timing and safe perioperative management. We recommend early surgical treatment before LVp becomes more than 210 mmHg. Read at the 32nd Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Cardiovascular Surgery, Oral session, Osaka, February 14–16, 2002.     

Longitudinal Changes of Cardiac Structure and Function in CKD (CASCADE Study)

Little is known regarding the natural longitudinal changes in cardiac structure and function in CKD. We hypothesized that baseline CKD stage is associated with progressive worsening in cardiac structure and function. We conducted a prospective longitudinal study, recruiting 300 patients with stages 3–5 CKD from a major regional tertiary center and university teaching hospital in Hong Kong. Baseline CKD stages were studied in relation to natural longitudinal changes in echocardiographic and tissue Doppler imaging–derived parameters. Over 1 year, the prevalence of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy increased from 40.3% to 48.9%, median left atrial volume index increased 4.8 (interquartile range [IQR], 2.1, 7.7) ml/m² (P<0.001), peak systolic mitral annular velocity decreased 0.5 (IQR, −1.5, 0.5) cm/s (P<0.001), early diastolic mitral annular velocity decreased 0.5 (IQR, −1.5, 0.5) cm/s (P<0.001), and eGFR declined 2.0 (IQR, −5.0, 0.0) ml/min per 1.73 m². CKD stages 4 and 5 were associated with more baseline abnormalities in cardiac structure and function and predicted greater longitudinal progression in LV mass index (odds ratio [OR], 3.02; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.39 to 6.58), volume index (OR, 2.58; 95% CI, 1.18 to 5.62), and left atrial volume index (OR, 2.61; 95% CI, 1.20 to 5.69) and worse diastolic dysfunction grade (OR, 3.17; 95% CI, 1.16 to 8.69) compared with stage 3a in the fully adjusted analysis. In conclusion, more advanced CKD at baseline may be associated with larger longitudinal increases in LV mass and volume and greater deterioration in diastolic function.     

Vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphism is associated with left ventricular (LV) mass and predicts left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) progression in end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) patients

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a strong cardiovascular risk marker in end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. Vitamin D deficiency and/or disturbed vitamin D signaling has been implicated in LVH in experimental models. Because the BsmI vitamin D receptor VDR gene polymorphism may alter VDR function, we performed a cross‐sectional and longitudinal study in a cohort of 182 dialysis patients to investigate (1) the relationship between BsmI VDR gene polymorphism and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) measured by echocardiography and (2) the predictive power of this polymorphism for progression in LVH over a 18 ± 2 months of follow‐up. As a reference group, we used 175 healthy subjects matched to the study population as for age and sex. The distribution of BsmI genotypes did not significantly deviate from Hardy‐Weinberg equilibrium either in patients or in the control group of healthy subjects. The frequency of the B allele of BsmI polymorphism (40.4%) in dialysis patients was similar to that of healthy control subjects (38.6%), and the number of B alleles was directly related to LVMI (r = 0.20, P = .007). This relationship remained robust (β = 0.19, P = .006) in multivariate analysis adjusting for traditional and nontraditional risk factors and antihypertensive and calcitriol treatment. In the longitudinal study, LVMI rose from 60.1 ± 17.9 to 64.2 ± 19.3 g/m^2.7 (P < .001), and again, the number of B alleles was associated with LVMI changes both in crude and in fully adjusted analyses. These cross‐sectional and longitudinal observations coherently support the hypothesis that altered vitamin D signaling is implicated in LVH in ESRD patients. © 2010 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research     

Serum uric acid level is associated with cardiac hypertrophy in renal transplant recipients

Caliskan Y, Gorgulu N, Yelken B, Akturk F, Yazici H, Turkmen A, Sever MS. Serum uric acid level is associated with cardiac hypertrophy in renal transplant recipients.
Clin Transplant 2011: 25: 368–374. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: Background: Serum uric acid (UA) level as a significant and independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and the link between this marker and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in renal transplant recipients remains to be clarified. Methods: A total of 141 renal transplant recipients (83 men), between ages of 18 and 69 (mean age 37 ± 11), were included in this single center study. In addition to demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters, serum UA concentrations were evaluated. LVH was determined by two‐dimensional and M‐mode echocardiography. Results: Serum UA levels were significantly higher (6.14 ± 1.15 mg/dL) in patients with LVH (n = 54) when compared to patients (n = 87) who did not have this abnormality (5.29 ± 1.43 mg/dL) (p = 0.006). Serum UA levels were significantly correlated with septal wall thickness, LV posterior wall thickness, LV mass index (LVMI), and pulmonary arterial pressure. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that UA predicted LVMI (r² = 0.150, β = 0.369, p = 0.001). However, serum creatinine (β = 0.060, p = 0.593) and age (β = 0.146, p = 0.175) were not predictors of LVMI. Conclusion: High serum UA levels are associated with LVH in renal transplant recipients, which underlines the importance of treating hyperuricemia.     

Left ventricular diastolic function in patients on maintenance haemodialysis

SUMMARY: The aim of this study was to elucidate the differences in left ventricular (LV) diastolic function between patients on maintenance haemodialysis (HD) with LV hypertrophy (LVH) and those with LVH from other causes. Twenty HD patients (HD group), 11 patients with hypertensive heart disease (HHD group), 11 with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM group) and 11 age-matched healthy individuals (N group) were examined using echocardiography. Compared with the HCM group, the HD and HHD groups had smaller total LV wall thickness and left atrial dimension, a higher ratio of LV end-diastolic dimension to LV posterior wall thickness, a shorter isovolumic relaxation time and a higher ratio of peak flow velocity of early to late LV fillings (E/A). There was a correlation between LV mass index or E/A and systolic blood pressure. These results indicate that HD patients have an LV diastolic dysfunction similar to that observed in HHD patients but which is less severe than that found in HCM patients. It seems reasonable to control hypertension in HD patients in order to favourably influence LV diastolic function.