| Abstract: | 1 The effect of long-term oral cimetidine on left ventricular function was evaluated in chronic haemodialysis patients with active hyperparathyroidism. 2 Radionuclide ventriculography (seven patients) and echocardiography (five patients) revealed a significant increase in ejection fraction and mean velocity of circumferential fibre shortening six months after treatment. 3 The improved cardiac performance was associated with improvement of bone histology. C-terminal parathyroid hormone, serum calcium, and mean arterial pressure changed little after treatment. 4 The improved cardiac performance is thought to be related to the suppression of uraemic hyperparathyroidism by cimetidine. 5 The present study suggests that uraemic hyperparathyroidism may play an important role in "uraemic cardiomyopathy". |
