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Pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular dysfunction in hemodialysis patients

Authors:
  • West China Hospital

Abstract

Hemodialysis treatment has been revealed to increased the systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP). Right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) had been demonstrated to predict mortality in chronic renal failure patients. We investigate the prevalence of pulmonary hypertension and RVD among patients and possible contributing factors for pulmonary hypertension. A cross-sectional survey consisted of 70 hemodialysis patients was performed in our hemodialysis center. By using echocardiography, an estimated systolic pulmonary artery pressure of > 35 mmHg at rest met the criterion of pulmonary hypertension. Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) of the right ventricle was performed in all patients. 27 out of 70 (38.57%) patients met the definition of pulmonary hypertension, while 32 out of 70 (45.71%) patients met the definition of RVD. Compared to patients without pulmonary hypertension, patients with pulmonary hypertension demonstrated higher systolic blood pressure and lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). RVD, indicated by TDI myocardial performance index (MPI), was worse impaired in patients with pulmonary hypertension. Echocardiographic findings suggested elevated MPI values of right ventricular and right ventricular wall thickness were significantly associated with sPAP. While a high level of LVEF and Kt/V values was inversely correlated with sPAP. The multivariate determinants of pulmonary hypertension were systolic blood pressure and Kt/V values. Among hemodialysis patients, pulmonary hypertension is extraordinary common and is significantly associated with RVD. The poor control of systolic blood pressure and volume overload have played an important role in the mechanism of pulmonary hypertension in chronic uremia patients.
Abstract. OBJECTIVE: Hemodialysis treat-
ment has been revealed to increased the sys-
tolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP). Right
ventricular dysfunction (RVD) had been demon-
strated to predict mortality in chronic renal fail-
ure patients. We investigate the prevalence of
pulmonary hypertension and RVD among pa-
tients and possible contributing factors for pul-
monary hypertension.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-section-
al survey consisted of 70 hemodialysis patients
was performed in our hemodialysis center. By
using echocardiography, an estimated systolic
pulmonary ar tery pressu re of > 35 mmHg at
rest met the criterion of pulmonary hyperten-
sion. Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) of the right
ventricle was performed in all patients.
RESULTS: 27 out of 70 (38.57%) patients met
the definition of pulmonary hypertension, while
32 out of 70 (45.71%) patients met the definition
of RVD. Co m pare d t o p atie n ts with o ut pul-
monary hypertension, patients with pulmonary
hypertension demonstrated higher systolic
blood pressure and lower left ventricular ejec-
tion fraction (LVEF). RVD, indicated by TDI my-
ocardial performance index (MPI), was worse
impaired in patients with pulmonary hyperten-
sion. Echocardiographic findings suggested el-
evated MPI values of right ventricular and right
ventricular wall thickness were significantly as-
sociated with sPAP. While a high level of LVEF
and Kt/V values was inversely correlated with
sPAP. The mul tivari ate d etermin ant s of pul-
monary hypertension were systolic blood pres-
sure and Kt/V values.
CO N CLU S I ON S : Among hemodialysis pa-
tients, pulmonary hypertension is extraordinary
common and is significantly associated with
RVD. The poor control of systolic blood pres-
sure and volume overload have played an im-
portant role in the mechanism of pulmonary hy-
pertension in chronic uremia patients.
Key Words:
Pulmonary hypertension, Right ventricular dys-
function, Hem o d i a l y s i s , A r t e r i oven o u s f i s t u l a ,
Echocardiography.
European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences
Pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular
dysfunction in hemodialysis patients
L.-J. ZHAO, S.-M. HUANG, T. LIANG1, H. TANG1
Department of Nephrology, and 1Department of Cardiology; West China Hospital, Sichuan
University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
Corresponding Author: Song-Min Huang, MD, Ph.D; e-mail: hsongm@medmail.com.cn 3267
Introduction
Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading
cause of mortality in chronic renal failure patients,
accounting for 34.1% of deaths1. While mainte-
nance hemodialysis treatment has been suggested
in chronic uremia patients, it has become a finan-
cial burden in chronic kidney disease patients in
Southeast China2. Hemodialysis treatment has
been revealed to increased the systolic pulmonary
artery pressure (sPAP). According to the recent
studies3-8, the prevalence of pulmonary hyperten-
sion in hemodialysis patients ranges from 20%-
41.1%. Pulmonary hypertension was an indepen-
dent predictor of all-cause and cardiovascular
mortality in maintenance hemodialysis patients9.
However, right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) on
patients under dialysis has been rarely revealed.
Once the vascular access fistulation was suc-
cessfully founded, the shunt determines a chronic
increase in afterload which leads to right ventricu-
lar hypertrophy (RVH). Right ventricular (RV)
compensatory hypertrophy reduces ventricular
compliance and might display an underlying role
in impairing left ventricular filling via interventric-
ular interaction10. Echocardiography can detect suf-
ficiently right ventricular abnormality, which can
suggest prognosis in patients with pulmonary hy-
pertension11. Our study investigates the prevalence
of pulmonary hypertension and RVD in chronical-
ly uremia patients under hemodialysis and possible
contributing factors for pulmonary hypertension.
Patients and Methods
Selection of Patients
This cross-sectional investigation was undertak-
en in West China Hospital of Sichuan University
Blood Purification Center, Chengdu, China, from
September 2011 until June 2013. The study popula-
2014; 18: 3267-3273
3268
tion consisted of 70 ESRD patients (males/females:
42/28, age 54.9 ± 12.9 years) who were maintained
on long-term hemodialysis therapy via surgically
created native arteriovenous access. Patients 18
years who had been on maintenance therapy for at
least 3 months and were receiving hemodialysis
sessions 3 times per week, were enrolled. Each ses-
sions lasted for 4h and used bicarbonate-buffered
dialysate. All of these patients were used radial arte-
riovenous fistula. 48 patients were exclude due to
comorbid conditions with a high probability of sec-
ondary pulmonary hypertension (sever valvular
heart disease [n = 11], congenital left-right shunts
[n = 3], a history of coronary artery stent installa-
tion [n=5 ], connective tissue disorders [n = 4], pul-
monary thromboembolic disease [n = 5], chronic
cor pulmonale [n = 7], chronic obstructive pul-
monary disease [n = 13]). 5 patients had renal trans-
plantation and 3 patients had atrial fibrillation were
also not enrolled. All patients signed an informed
consent before entering the study. Our study has
been approved by West China Hospital Ethics
Committee.
Clinical and Laboratory Investigations
Each patient’s general data (age, sex, systolic
blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, medica-
tion used, etiology of renal disease) and data re-
garding the hemodialysis (dialytic age, interdialyt-
ic weight gain, Kt/V values) were recorded. Kt/V
values were calculated by Daugirdas second gen-
eration equation: Kt/Vsp = -In(R-0.08×t) + [(4-
3.5×R) × UF/W], where twas the session length
in hours and R was the ratio of postdialysis to the
predialysis plasma urea nitrogen concentrations.
UF is short for ultrafiltrate volume in liters. W is
the postdiamysis weight in kilograms12. Laborato-
ry investigations (hemoglobin, hematocrit, albu-
min, serum calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hor-
mone) were also determined. All the laboratory
data were done in the same week when the patient
underwent Doppler echocardiography.
Echocardiography
All enrolled patients underwent Doppler
echocardiography within 1-2 hours after comple-
tion of the hemodialysis to avoid volume overload
which may lead to overestimated of sPAP. Each pa-
tient were examined by an experienced echocardio-
graphist. All echocardiography parameters were
measured by a Philips (Eindhoven, The Nether-
lands) iE-33 ultrasound machine. The following
measurements were taken on two-Dimensional and
M-mode echocardiography: diameter of left atria
(LA), diameter of left ventricular (LV), diameter of
right atria (RA), diameter of RV, thickness of inter-
ventricular septum (IVS) and thickness of left ven-
tricular posterior wall (LVPW)13. Ejection fraction
of the left ventricular was calculated using the
modified Simpson method in the 4-chamber view.
The tricuspid systolic jet (TR) was measured by
from the 4-chamber view with the continues-wave
Doppler probe. In the presence of tricuspid valve
regurgitation, systolic pulmonary artery pressure
was calculated using the simplified Bernoulli equa-
tion: sPAP = 4*(TR)2+ right artrial pressure. Right
atrium pressure was estimated from inferior vena
cava (IVC) and its collapsibility. Pulmonary hyper-
tension is defined as an increased of mean pul-
monary artery pressure above 25 mmHg at rest in
the setting of normal or reduced cardiac output and
normal pulmonary capillary pressure.However, ac-
cording to the echocardiographic criteria, pul-
monary hypertension is defined as sPAP > 35
mmHg at rest14.
Early (E) and late (A) right ventricular inflow
ve locities we r e m easured with p u l se-wave
Doppler by placing the sample volume in between
the tips of the tricuspid valve in the apical 4-cham-
ber window. S’ (systolic myocardial velocity), E’
(protodiastolic myocardial velocity) and A (late
peak diastolic myocardial velocity) of the right
ventricular were recorded by tissue Doppler imag-
ing (TDI). The deceleration time (DT-E), ejection
time (ET), isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) and
isovolumic contraction (IVCT) were also mea-
sured. Calculation of right ventricular myocardial
performance index (MPI) by tissue Doppler imag-
ing is defined as the ratio of isovolumic time di-
vided by (IVRT + IVCT)/ET. TDI of MPI value is
reproducible and relatively independent of pre-
load. The upper reference limit for the right-sided
TDI of MPI value is 0.5515. Tricuspid annular
plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), indices of right
ventricular systolic function, was acquired by
placing an M-mode cursor through tricuspid annu-
lus. TAPSE is a method to measure the amount of
longitudinal motion of the RV annular segment at
peak systole. It is inferred that the greater the de-
scent of the base in systole is associated with bet-
ter RV systolic function14. The four chambers were
measured through apical 4-chamber view at the
same time. RV wall thickness was measured at
end-diastole by M-mode from the subcostal win-
dow, at the level of the tip of the anterior tricuspid
leaflet or left parasternal windows. Right ventricu-
lar hypertrophy was defined as RV wall thickness
5 mm16.
L.-J. Zhao, S.-M. Huang, T. Liang, H. Tang
Variable sPAP 35 mmHg sPAP > 35 mmHg
(n: 43) (n: 27) pvalue
Age (years) 55.49 ± 11.74 55.46 ± 14.95 0.765
Gender, male/female ratio 1.39 1.70 0.488
BMI (kg/m2) 23.20 ± 3.37 21.70 ± 2.63 0.059
Heart rate (beats/min) 77.47 ± 9.35 72.19 ± 15.69 0.084
Systolic blood pressure (mmHg) 138.72 ± 15.01 152.08 ± 16.11 0.001
Diastolic blood pressure (mmHg) 80.44 ± 10.27 83.16 ± 11.53 0.313
Etiology of renal failure 0.549
Hypertension (%) 78ns
Diabetes mellitus (%) 11.6 15.4 ns
Glomerulonephritis (%) 48.8 57.7 ns
Others (%) 25.6 8 ns
Unknown (%) 7 10.9 ns
Antihypertension therapy ns
ACE-inhibitors (%) 7 12 0.833
ARBs (%) 32 46 0.259
β-Blockers (%) 42 69 0.057
CCB (%) 90 81 0.413
α-Blockers (%) 28 38 0.869
Dialytic age (months) 40.16 ± 38.89 31.25 ± 16.67 0.193
Interdialytic weight gain (kg) 2.18 ± 0.71 2.10 ± 0.72 0.681
Kt/V value 1.85 ± 0.90 1.31 ± 0.30 0.001
Table I. Demographic and Clinical data of patients (n=number of patients).
Footnote: ARBs, angiotensin receptor blockers; CCB, calcium channel blockers. 1 mmHg = 0.1333 kPa.
Pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular dysfunction in hemodialysis patients
3269
< 0.05 to remain in the final model. All analyses
were conducted using standard statistical software
(IBM, SPSS 20.0 New York, NY, USA). All pval-
ues < 0.05 were considered to be statistically sig-
nificant.
Results
Baseline Characteristics
Data from the 27 patients with pulmonary hyper-
tension were compared with those of the 43 patients
without pulmonary hypertension (Table I). Groups
did not show significant differences regarding the
age, gender, body mass index (BMI), heart rates
and diastolic blood pressure. However, the systolic
blood pressure was significant higher in pulmonary
hypertension patients as compared with those with-
out pulmonary hypertension (Table I). The common
etiologies of renal failure were hypertension, dia-
betes mellitus, glomerulonephritis. The incidence of
antihypertensive medications were distributed in
similar proportions (Table I). The mean duration of
dialysis as well as the interdialytic weight gain in
patients demonstrated no significant differences be-
tween the two subgroups.Interestingly, the Kt/V
values was lower in patients with pulmonary hyper-
tension (Table I).
The vascular access was acquired soon after in
the longitudinal and transverse planes from the ar-
terial anastomosis through the entire access by
means of ultrasonic Doppler (Philips iE-33 ultra-
sound machine). Vascular blood flow was calculat-
ed by multiplying the time-averaged velocity
(TAV) by the cross-sectional area of the access17.
The calculations of vascular blood flow is Qa =
TAπr2×60. Here, r is the radius of the arterial
anastomosis.
Statistical Analysis
Values are expressed as means ± standard devi-
ation and as a percentage for categorical parame-
ters. Clinical variables were compared between
patients with and without pulmonary hyperten-
sion. Differences between continuous variables of
the two subgroups were compared with Student’s
t-test and Mann-Witney-U test, as applicable. Chi-
square test was used to evaluate the categorical pa-
rameters between the groups. Two-tailed bivariate
correlations were estimated by the Pearson’s coef-
ficient. Multivariate regression analysis was per-
formed to determine the relationship between pul-
monary hypertension and other covariates (demo-
graphic, clinical or hemodynamic). Those convari-
ates were required to have a p-value of < 0.2 to en-
ter the stepwise forward selection and a p-value of
Variable sPAP 35 mmHg sPAP > 35 mmHg
(n:43) (n:27) pvalue
Hemoglobin (g/L) 102.24 ± 16.55 93.19 ± 14.27 0.024
Hematocrit (%) 0.32 ± 0.05 0.29 ± 0.05 0.020
Albumin (g/L) 42.60 ± 3.33 41.98 ± 3.99 0.491
Calcium (mmol/l) 2.33 ± 0.31 2.29 ± 0.24 0.651
Phosphate (mmo/l) 1.85 ± 0.55 1.65 ± 0.46 0.139
PTH (pg/ml) 20.99 ± 17.89 21.44 ± 18.35 0.854
Table II. Laboratory characteristics of patients (n=number of patients).
sPAP 35 mmHg sPAP > 35 mmHg
Variable (n:43) (n:27) pvalue
sPAP (mmHg) 25.95 ± 5.81 44.15 ± 7.80 < 0.001
LA diameter (mm) 37.09 ± 5.22 42.12 ± 3.94 < 0.001
LV diameter (mm) 46.47 ± 4.57 52.80 ± 6.16 < 0.001
RA diameter (mm) 41.44 ± 7.11 46.88 ± 7.14 0.003
RV diameter (mm) 21.19 ± 2.14 23.85 ± 4.67 0.010
IVS (mm) 11.99 ± 1.88 12.81 ± 1.90 0.085
LVPW (mm) 10.51 ± 1.65 11.31 ± 1.80 0.066
RV wall thickness (mm) 4.17 ± 0.51 4.56 ± 0.72 0.012
Presence of RV hypertrophy (%) 9.30 % 33.33% < 0.001
Pulse Doppler imaging
Tricuspid E (cm/s) 59.52 ± 12.39 56.75 ± 11.74 0.296
Tricuspid A (cm/s) 52.40 ± 12.39 48.32 ± 9.54 0.154
E/A ratio 1.19 ± 0.30 1.22 ± 0.36 0.653
DT-E (ms) 114.21 ± 27.89 114.85 ± 29.31 0.928
Tissue Doppler imaging
Tricuspid E’ (cm/s) 9.80 ± 2.53 11.47 ± 2.03 0.006
Tricuspid A’ (cm/s) 13.97 ± 3.39 15.56 ± 4.75 0.145
Tricuspid annulus systolic peak velocity S’(cm/s) 13.16 ± 2.13 14.08 ± 1.71 0.068
E'/A ratio 0.74 ± 0.29 0.82 ± 0.34 0.348
TAPSE (mm) 23.61 ± 2.95 22.11 ± 2.66 0.033
ET (ms) 254.70 ± 27.29 264.85 ± 27.42 0.140
IVRT (ms) 60.2 ± 15.11 76.12 ± 12.41 < 0.001
IVCT (ms) 70.51 ± 10.99 73.88 ± 10.52 0.214
MPI value 0.52 ± 0.09 0.57 ± 0.06 0.010
LVEF (%) 67.84 ± 7.52 60.19 ± 10.81 0.039
Table III. Echocardiographic parameters of patients (n=number of patients).
L.-J. Zhao, S.-M. Huang, T. Liang, H. Tang
Indices of Right Ventricular Function
Patients on hemodialysis with pulmonary hy-
pertension presented higher left and right ventricu-
lar diameters (Table III). In particularly, sPAP and
RV wall thickness were significantly higher in pa-
tients with pulmonary hypertension compared
with those without pulmonary hypertension (44.15
± 7.80 vs 25.95 ± 5.81 mmHg, p< 0.001; 4.56 ±
0.72 vs 4.17 ± 0.51 mm, p= 0.012,respectively)
(Table III). Moreover, 33.33% of patients were re-
Indices of Laboratory Investigations
The levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit were
significantly lower in patients with pulmonary
hypertension. Although the albumin seemed to be
lower in patients with pulmonary hypertension,
the two subgroups did not differ significantly dif-
ferent. Other variables, such as serum calcium,
phosphorus and parathyroid hormone (PTH) did
not differ significantly between the examined
subgroups (Table II).
3270
vealed to developed to RVH in patients with pul-
monary hypertension. While only 9.30% patients
without pulmonary hypertension resulted in RVH.
Compared with the patients without pulmonary
hypertension, patients with pulmonary hyperten-
sion showed a prolonged IVRT but lower TAPSE
(Table III). MPI values, echocardiography para-
meters of right ventricular systolic and diastolic
function,was significantly higher in patients with
pulmonary hypertension (p= 0.033 and p= 0.010
respectively) (Table III). It indicated that right
ventricular function was impaired in patients with
pulmonary hypertension than those without pul-
monary hypertension.
Indices of Vascular Access
Vascular access parameters including the di-
ameter of the arteriovenous fistula and the vascu-
lar access flow (Qb) were measured by ultrasonic
Doppler at the same time. Patients with pul-
monary hypertension had higher Qb compared
with patients with normal sPAP (1004.25 ±
179.83 ml/min vs. 996.80 ± 220.03 ml/min).
However, the difference was no statistically sig-
nificant (p= 0.887).
Risk of Pulmonary Hypertension
in Hemodialysis Patients
A significantly positive correlation was noted be-
tween sPAP and those three parameters as RV wall
thickness (r = 0.460, p< 0.001), MPI values (r =
0283, p= 0.019) and systolic blood pressure (r =
0.279, p= 0.020). On the contrary, sPAP inversely
correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction
(LVEF) (r = -0.27, p= 0.025), hemoglobin (r = -
0.337, p= 0.005) and Kt/V values (r = -0.330, p=
0.006). A further comparison between the two ure-
mic subgroups revealed that LVEF was significant-
ly lower in patients with pulmonary hypertension
than those without pulmonary hypertension (Table
III). Logistic regression analysis adjusted for the
same confounding factors such as age, gender, BMI
and HR. The multivariate determinants of pul-
monary hypertension were systolic blood pressure
(regression coefficient b: 0. 050,odds ratio 1.051
per mmHg, p= 0. 011) and Kt/V values (regression
coefficient b: -1.394, odds ratio 0.248, p= 0. 044).
Discussion
The study confirmed that uremic patients on
chronic dialysis treatment showed a high preva-
lence of pulmonary hypertension which had been
reported in the previous studies18,19. The mecha-
nisms of pulmonary hypertension mainly derived
from elevated pulmonary blood flow and increased
pulmonary vascular resistance. Pulmoanry artery
pressure may be increased by high cardiac output
due to the arteriovenous access, further worsened
by fluid overload in hemodialysis patients. Pres-
sure-induced mediator regulation may represent an
early event in the development of secondary pul-
monary hypertension in chronic renal failure pa-
tients. Prolonged hypertension may effect pul-
monary circulation. A recent research confirmed
that endothelial dysfunction were associated with
increased vasoconstrictors like ehdothelin-1 and
decreased vasodilators such as NO2 0. Worsen,
chronic renal failure patients displayed metabolic
and hormonal derangements which may result in
pulmonary arterial vasoconstriction.
A positive relationship between the sPAP and
RV wall thickness was revealed. To adopting to
the high pressure of pulmonary circulation, end
sysytolic pressure of right ventricle increased.
Chronic right ventricular pressure overload leads
to functional tricuspid valve insufficiency, initiat-
ing pathological RV remodeling and results in
compensatory RVH to decrease wall stress, which
ultimately leading to right heart failure. It has at-
tributed direct ventricular interaction to the sep-
tum, via the trans-septal pressure gradient21. This
pathological physiology change was confirmed by
the negative correlation between LVEF and RV
wall thickness in our study.
Although researches have mainly focused their
attention on left ventricular function in hemodialy-
sis patients22,23, insight into the role of RV function
in pulmonary hypertension patients is scarce. TDI
has considered as a strong diagnostic method in
detecting subclinical abnormalities in cardiac
function, which had been demonstrated to predict
mortality24,25. Thus, the detection of RVD would
be helpful in early detection of higher risk of de-
veloping right heart failure. Our study revealed
that nearly half of hemodialysis were associated
with RVD. Interestingly, MPI values was positive-
ly correlated with sPAP. The potential mechanism
of this clinical feature is chronic volume overload
has affect right ventricular function independently
from post-load conditions10. Arteriovenous fistula
induced volume overload lead to increased sPAP
plays a crucial role in triggering RVD in mainte-
nance hemodialysis patients.
Although the present study showed no direct
relationship between access flow of AVF and
sPAP, which was similar to other clinical trails3-26.
3271
Pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular dysfunction in hemodialysis patients
3272
We avoided the patients with brachial AVFs. The
blood flow of AVF was confirmed to be higher in
upper arm AVFs than lower AVFs27 .Although
our study demonstrated a high prevalence of pul-
monary hypertension and RVD among hemodial-
ysis patients, it provoques some criticisms. All
the vascular access parameters were measured by
ultrasonic Doppler in the present study, which
will be less reliably than Transonic Hemodialysis
Monitor HD0228. As peritoneal dialysis patients
who were reported had pulmonary hypertension
in the recent research29, data of RVD in those pa-
tients are lacking up to now which will be a re-
search topic in the future.
––––––––––-
Conflict of Interest
The Authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.
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Pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular dysfunction in hemodialysis patients
... MHD patients are highly predisposed to RV dysfunction. According to recent studies, 15-45% of patients on MHD have RV dysfunction (13)(14)(15), and our study demonstrates that approximately 13% of patients have RV dysfunction. One of the reasons why the prevalence of RV dysfunction was different between the studies was some studies used different criteria for diagnosis of RV dysfunction, such as TAPSE < 20 mm. ...
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Background: Cardiovascular disease is a major complication in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD), and heart failure is the leading cause of death among them. While the effectt of left ventricular dysfunction on patients on MHD is well known, the association between right ventricular (RV) dysfunction and their prognosis remains poorly understood. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 149 patients on MHD (median age, 72 years; male, 67%) between April 2022 and March 2024. All subjects underwent transthoracic two-dimensional and doppler echocardiographic examination. RV dysfunction was determined when the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) was under 16 mm. The Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was used to compare survival between patients with and without RV dysfunction. The univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to estimate the effects of RV dysfunction on all-cause mortality. Results: Twenty out of 149 patients on MHD (13%) had RV dysfunction. Indexes of their left ventricular (LV) function (such as the LV ejection fraction and E/e' ratio) were similar to those of patients without RV dysfunction. During the follow-up period, 23 patients died (9 patients with RV dysfunction and 14 patients without RV dysfunction). Kaplan–Meier analyses showed significantly lower survival among patients with RV dysfunction (p < 0.01). The multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that RV dysfunction was independently associated with all-cause mortality (Hazard ratios: 3.55; 95%confidence intervals, 1.39–9.05). Conclusions: RV dysfunction is a significant risk factor for all-cause mortality among patients on MHD.
... It causes increased venous return with a corresponding increase in cardiac output, as well as decreased systemic vascular resistance [13]. Increased cardiac output caused by AVF, endothelial dysfunction in the pulmonary vasculature resulting in plexiform lesions, disparities in vascular tone caused by nonstandard vasoactive mediator production, limited and general inflammation, vasoconstriction, and vascular sclerosis generated by dialysis circuit microbubbles has all been linked to PAH pathogenesis [14,15]. ...
Article
Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) has recently been identified as a common complication in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who are undergoing hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD). The risk factors for the development of PAH in those patients are not well understood. Objective: To investigate the risk factors for the development of PAH in patients with ESRD on HD. Patients and Methods: This is a hospital-based cross-sectional study of 50 ESRD patients undergoing HD. The pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) was measured using echocardiography. PASP ˃ 25 mmHg at rest was defined as PAH. As a result, patients were divided into two groups: those who had PAH and those who did not. Each patient's demographic, biochemical, and echographic findings were documented. Results: Out of 50 patients, 19 (38%) had PAH, while the remaining 31 (62%) had normal PASP. In multivariate analysis, HD duration > 3.4 years (OR= 2.13, 95%CI=1.45-31.38, p= 0.025), hypertension as a cause of ESRD (OR=6.12, 95%CI=1.4-26.77, p=0.031), hemoglobin (Hb) ≤ 10.0 g/dl (OR= 4.35, 95%CI=1.88-9.84, p= 0.018), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)≤ 55% (OR= 6.75, 95%CI=1.87-23.74, p=0.021) were independent factors associated with PAH. PASP had a significant positive correlation with the rate of fistula flow (r= 0.295, p= 0.038) and E/A ratio (r= 0.368, p= 0.008), but a significant negative correlation with LVEF (r= -0.345, p= 0.014). PASP had a positive significant correlation with each of rate of fistula flow (r= 0.295, p= 0.038) and E/A ratio (r= 0.368, p= 0.008), while it has a negative significant correlation with LVEF (r= -0.345, p= 0.014). Conclusion: Longer duration of HD, hypertensive nephropathy as a cause of ESRD, Hb≤ 10 g/dl, and LVEF ≤55% are among the demographic, biochemical, and clinical factors associated with the development of PAH in patients with ESRD under HD. The PASP has a positive correlation with fistula flow rate and E/A ratio and a negative correlation with LVEF. Keywords: Pulmonary arterial hypertension, End stage renal disease, Hemodialysis.
... It causes increased venous return with a corresponding increase in cardiac output, as well as decreased systemic vascular resistance [13]. Increased cardiac output caused by AVF, endothelial dysfunction in the pulmonary vasculature resulting in plexiform lesions, disparities in vascular tone caused by nonstandard vasoactive mediator production, limited and general inflammation, vasoconstriction, and vascular sclerosis generated by dialysis circuit microbubbles has all been linked to PAH pathogenesis [14,15]. ...
Article
Full-text available
Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) has recently been identified as a common complication in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who are undergoing hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD). The risk factors for the development of PAH in those patients are not well understood. Objective: To investigate the risk factors for the development of PAH in patients with ESRD on HD. Patients and Methods: This is a hospital-based cross-sectional study of 50 ESRD patients undergoing HD. The pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) was measured using echocardiography. PASP ˃ 25 mmHg at rest was defined as PAH. As a result, patients were divided into two groups: those who had PAH and those who did not. Each patient's demographic, biochemical, and echographic findings were documented. Results: Out of 50 patients, 19 (38%) had PAH, while the remaining 31 (62%) had normal PASP. In multivariate analysis, HD duration > 3.4 years (OR= 2.13, 95%CI=1.45-31.38, p= 0.025), hypertension as a cause of ESRD (OR=6.12, 95%CI=1.4-26.77, p=0.031), hemoglobin (Hb) ≤ 10.0 g/dl (OR= 4.35, 95%CI=1.88-9.84, p= 0.018), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)≤ 55% (OR= 6.75, 95%CI=1.87-23.74, p=0.021) were independent factors associated with PAH. PASP had a significant positive correlation with the rate of fistula flow (r= 0.295, p= 0.038) and E/A ratio (r= 0.368, p= 0.008), but a significant negative correlation with LVEF (r= -0.345, p= 0.014). PASP had a positive significant correlation with each of rate of fistula flow (r= 0.295, p= 0.038) and E/A ratio (r= 0.368, p= 0.008), while it has a negative significant correlation with LVEF (r= -0.345, p= 0.014). Conclusion: Longer duration of HD, hypertensive nephropathy as a cause of ESRD, Hb≤ 10 g/dl, and LVEF ≤55% are among the demographic, biochemical, and clinical factors associated with the development of PAH in patients with ESRD under HD. The PASP has a positive correlation with fistula flow rate and E/A ratio and a negative correlation with LVEF.
... The potential for PH to cause right ventricular dysfunction has been observed for many conditions. For example, hemodialysis patients have been noted to exhibit PH and associated RVD and RVH, with a significant increase in right ventricular wall thickening [10]. Similarly, high serum phenylalanine has been associated with PH and cardiac dysfunction in newborns and in a rat model, injections of phenylalanine caused PH and significant associated RVH within two weeks [11]. ...
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COVID-19 affects many organs in our body, including the heart and lungs. COVID-19 cases that require hospitalization often exhibit pulmonary hypertension (PH) due to changes in the lung microvasculature in which the blood vessels become stiff, damaged, or narrow, causing increased pulmonary arterial pressure. This review examines the hypothesis that PH can lead to right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) as a long-lasting aftereffect of COVID-19. Recent studies have shown that significant percentages of hospitalized patients develop right ventricular hypertension and right ventricular dilatation (RVD), which may lead to right ventricular failure and death. Despite recommendations for echocardiogram reports to include right ventricular wall thickness to assess RVH, few published reports have reported this parameter. Relevant studies on animal models of PH in which the timing of PH can be precisely controlled suggest that one to three weeks of PH can cause RVH. Thus, according to the hypothesis proposed here COVID-19 patients who have long-lasting severe disease (e.g., needed to be on a ventilator for one or more weeks) accompanied by PH and RVD may develop RVH as a long-lasting sequela outlasting the infection itself. Echocardiogram studies of recovered COVID-19 patients may determine whether oft-reported cardiovascular sequelae include RVH.
... Прямое влияние уремических токсинов на развитие ЛГ оценить трудно. Тем не менее накапливаются данные, что у больных на программном ГД, развивших ЛГ, показатели Kt/V и клиренса мочевины были хуже, чем у пациентов с нормальным ДЛА [18,40]. Таким образом, адекватность диализной терапии может быть одной из детерминант развития ЛГ при ХБП. ...
... Прямое влияние уремических токсинов на развитие ЛГ оценить трудно. Тем не менее накапливаются данные, что у больных на программном ГД, развивших ЛГ, показатели Kt/V и клиренса мочевины были хуже, чем у пациентов с нормальным ДЛА [18,40]. Таким образом, адекватность диализной терапии может быть одной из детерминант развития ЛГ при ХБП. ...
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Provenance of chronic kidney diseases is much more common in these days especially in patients suffering from secondary causes like diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Objective: To study the prevalence of pathological pulmonary manifestations in chronic kidney diseases patients. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was done to examine the spectrum of pulmonary manifestations and any significant correlation with raised serum urea and creatinine level in patients on hemodialysis at various dialyzing units in Abbottabad for chronic kidney diseases. 200 patients with end-stage renal diseases were selected with convenience sampling for study with complaints of breathlessness, cough or chest discomfort. Evidence of pulmonary manifestations was gathered from histopathological and radiological reports records. Results: The most common findings in the acute phase of the patients were pneumonia 30% and 14% in males and females respectively. Pleural effusion was 20% prevalent in males while 6% in females. Empyema was 7% in males and 2% in females. Lung abscess and fibrosis was less common in patients suffering from chronic kidney disease. Spearmen rho results showed significant two tailed correlations between pulmonary manifestations and raised level of serum urea and creatinine levels. In most patients, co-morbidities such as diabetes mellitus and chronic hypertension, urolithiasis were evident as co-factors with significant raised urea and creatinine levels responsible for chronic kidney diseases. Conclusions: Pulmonary manifestations are common in patients on hemodialysis due to chronic kidney disease and strong correlation exists between raised serum urea and creatinine markers with pulmonary manifestations.
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Background & Objectives: Cardiovascular complications are associated with poor outcomes in patients with End stage renal disease. This study is aimed to evaluate the prevalence of pulmonary hypertension and right side heart failure in hemodialysis patients, trying to decrease these complications by referring them to the cardiologist in order to manage them either by medical or interventional methods. Methods: A cross-sectional study for evaluation the prevalence of pulmonary hypertension and right sided heart failure in hemodialysis patients was carried out in Duhok kidney center in Kurdistan region-Iraq through a duration period of one year from first of February, 2020 to 31st of January, 2021 for 101 patients. Data were collected which included Age, gender, BMI, causes of renal failure and vascular access, and echocardiography was conducted by a cardiologist, he evaluated them by using tricuspid regurgitation jet peak gradient for pulmonary hypertension, and by using tricuspid annulus plane systolic excursion method for evaluation of right ventricular function. Results: In the current study 51 females with melasma. Their ages ranged between (19-46) years, with (59.9%) between (28-38) years. The duration of melasma was from 6 months to 9 years. Thirty-eight of them were married and had pregnancy. Thyroid stimulating hormone levels were high in 22 of them (43.1%), 20 out of 22 cases that was had high levels of thyroid stimulating hormone had dermal type of melasma by Wood’s lamp examination and their p-value was significant (0.001). Conclusion: The prevalence of pulmonary hypertension among patients on hemodialysis in Kurdistan region-Iraq is within the Iraqi and international range studies with low prevalence of right ventricular dysfunction.
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Background: Cardiovascular events are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in chronic hemodialysis patients. Impaired right ventricular function is often associated with poor survival in hemodialysis patients. Objective: To determine the effect of vascular access flow (AVFs) of right ventricular function. Methods: This cross-sectional study was done in Department of Nephrology, DMCH during the period January 2020 to July 2021. End stage renal disease patient underwent hemodialysis for ≥3 months were recruited in the study. Patients with chronic respiratory disease, severe valvular heart disease, AVFs flow<200ml/min were excluded. Right ventricular function was assessed by Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion (TAPSE) through echocardiography and AVFs blood flow by color duplex study. History for diabetes mellitus, glomerulonephritis and hypertension were retrieved from medical records in addition to variable age and gender. Results of the biochemical variable also retrieved. TAPSE ≤16mm was taken as cut off to characterize subjects as Group I, impaired right ventricular function. Those with >16mm termed as Group II, normal right ventricular function. Data were expressed as mean±SD and number (present) as appropriate. Unpaired student t test, invariable and multivariable analysis were performed as applicable using statistical package for social science (SPSS). p<0.05% was taken as level of significant. Results: of the total 80 subject 26 constituted Group I and 54 in Group II. Distribution of male and female did not show any statistical association. Distribution of gender in two groups did not show any statistical association. Distribution of the subjects in age cluster was similar in the two groups. History of DM, GN, and HTN distribution in the two groups was also similar. Duration of hemodialysis (mean±SD) in Group I was 28.04 months and 26.39 months in Group II; two group did not show statistical difference (p=0.529). Systolic blood pressure was 163 mmHg and 160mmHg in Group I and Group II respectively and diastolic blood pressure (mean±SD, mmHg) was 92mmHg and 92mmHg in Group I and Group II respectively; did not statistical difference (p=0.283 and 0.960 respectively). AVFs blood flow 1603±382ml/min (mean±SD,ml/min) in group I was significantly higher compared to the counterpart group II 791±189ml/min. The trend was supported by the significant (p=0.001) inverse relationship between TAPSE and AVFs blood flow. In Group I radio cephalic and brachiocephalic AV fistula distribution was 12 vs 24 (46.2 vs 53.8%) which in the Group II was 51 vs 3(94.4 vs 5.6%). Conclusion: Data concluded that brachiocephalic AVFs lead to significantly higher blood flow than the radio cephalic fistula resulting impaired right ventricular function, which reconfirmed the usefulness of distal AVF as a vascular access in patient for hemodialysis.
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IntroductionPulmonary hypertension (PH) in the setting of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) has important prognostic and therapeutic consequences. We estimated the prevalence of PH among patients with ESRD and compared mortality between ESRD patients with and without PH.Methods Two independent reviewers searched three databases using a search strategy built around the medical subject headings of “hypertension, pulmonary” and “kidney failure, chronic.” Keywords and synonyms were also used. Study selection criteria included (1) Enrollment of patients with ESRD undergoing hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, (2) Assessment for the presence of PH using transthoracic echocardiography, and (3) Determination of PH prevalence or associated mortality. The primary outcomes were prevalence of PH or associated mortality. The Grading, Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to rate the quality of evidence.ResultsThe initial search identified 1046 publications, from which 41 studies were selected. The median prevalence of PH identified by echocardiographic criteria among patients with ESRD was 38% (range 8% to 70%), and was significantly increased in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) (median 40%, range 16–70%) as compared with peritoneal dialysis (PD) (median 19%, range 8–37%). Meta-analysis demonstrated that overall mortality was higher among ESRD patients with echocardiographic evidence of PH than ESRD patients without echocardiographic evidence of PH (RR 2.02; 95% CI 1.70–2.40).Conclusions Echocardiographic evidence of PH is common among ESRD patients undergoing dialysis and associated with increased mortality. Identification of those patients with evidence of pulmonary hypertension on transthoracic echocardiography may warrant further evaluation and treatment.
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Cardiovascular complications are encountered frequently in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. The study was designed as a prospective cohort study and a total of 105 dialysis patients, 77 hemodialysis and 28 peritoneal dialysis patients, were investigated. All patients had undergone M-Mode Doppler echocardiography every 6 months by which their systolic pulmonary arterial pressures (sPAPs) and left ventricular mass indices (LVMIs) were recorded. Thirty-nine (37.1%) patients had pulmonary hypertension (PHT), that is, a mean sPAP of more than 35 mmHg. The frequency of PHT was higher in peritoneal dialysis patients but the difference was insignificant (p = 0.08). However, the frequency of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) was found to be significantly higher in peritoneal dialysis patients than in hemodialysis patients (p = 0.001). When patients with and without PHT were compared, the duration of dialysis (p = 0.02), hemoglobin (p = 0.01), HbA1c (p = 0.03), and serum albumin levels (p = 0.003) were found to be significantly higher in patients with PHT than those without PHT. In conclusion, although nonsignificant, we found a higher prevalence of PHT in peritoneal dialysis patients when compared with hemodialysis patients. This might be due to the significantly higher prevalence of LVH, hence hypervolemia, in peritoneal dialysis patients. The prevention and treatment of PHT in dialysis patients is very important for the improvement of survival in these patients. Hence, the increased prevalence of PHT in ESRD patients necessitates understanding the multiple and interacting factors, such as LVH, serum albumin and hemoglobin levels, and control of diabetes, that might contribute to this pathology in these patients.
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Right ventricular function plays an important role in determining cardiac symptoms and exercise capacity in chronic heart failure. It is known that right ventricle has complex anatomy and physiology. The purpose of this review paper is to demonstrate the best assessment of the right ventricle with current echocardiography. Echocardiography can assess sufficiently right ventricular structure and function and also suggest prognosis in pulmonary hypertension patients, especially with the use of modern imaging techniques. Finally, the new imaging modality of real time three dimensional echocardiography is interchangeable to cardiac magnetic resonance in reproducibility and accuracy.
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To compare the prevalence of unexplained pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) in hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients and to compare laboratory parameters between patients with unexplained PAH and those with normal pulmonary artery pressure (PAP). We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 278 chronic HD and 145 chronic PD patients. Laboratory findings including hemoglobin, calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, albumin, parathyroid hormone level, serum iron, total iron binding capacity, ferritin, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen were documented. The results of transthoracic Doppler echocardiography were used to determine the pulmonary artery pressure (PAP). PAH was defined as a systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) ≥35 mmHg. To rule out secondary PAH, patients with cardiac disease, pulmonary disease, collagen vascular disease, volume overload at the time of echocardiography and positive human immunodeficiency virus test were excluded. Data from 34 patients in group HD and 32 individuals in group PD were analyzed. The median age of the study population was 57 (45-68) years. The median SPAP value in patients with PAH was 37.5 (35-45)mmHg. According to the echocardiographic findings, PAH was found in 14 (41.1%) patients of HD group and in 6 (18.7%) patients of PD group (P=0.04). The median serum iron and hemoglobin was significantly lower in patients with PAH compared to those in patients with normal PAP (P<0.05). Unexplained PAH seems to be more frequent in patients undergoing HD than patients in PD group. Moreover, hemoglobin and serum iron levels are lower in patients with PAH compared to those in normal PAP group.
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Hemodialysis patients are at an increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) has been recently reported as a new entity and unrecognized threat in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients, whether PH predicts CV mortality and events in this population remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to determine the value of PH in predicting CV mortality and events in a prospective cohort of MHD patients. We studied 278 MHD patients (98 with and 180 without PH) in Guangdong General Hospital Blood Purification Center, Guangzhou, China. All patients had been followed up for 2 years, and in survival analysis, we considered time to death or first cardiovascular event. The endpoints were all-cause mortality, CV mortality and CV events. PH was defined as systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) ≥ 35 mmHg as determined by Doppler echocardiographic evaluation. Of the 278 MHD patients, 53 (19.1 %) died as a result of all causes, 28 (10.1 %) died from CV events (52.8 % of causes of death), and 87 (31.3 %) had new-onset CV events. The survival curve showed that all-cause and CV mortality and new-onset CV events were higher in PH group than the non-PH group. In a multivariate Cox proportional hazard model, the adjusted HR for all-cause mortality, CV mortality and CV events was 1.85 [95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.03-3.34], 2.36 (95 % CI 1.05-5.31) and 2.27 (95 % CI 1.44-3.58), respectively. Our study showed that PH was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality and CV mortality and events in MHD patients. We suggest to evaluate SPAP in MHD patients in order to stratify risk of death and CV events.
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It is very important to evaluate atherosclerosis at an early stage since cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death in patients with end stage renal disease. The purpose of our study was to examine which of the following parameters of atherosclerosis is the best index for the prediction of cardiovascular death or events in hemodialysis patients: intima media thickness (IMT), ankle-brachial index (ABI) and cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), and whether visceral fat area (VFA) and subcutaneous fat area (SFA), also predict those events. VFA, SFA, IMT, ABI and CAVI were measured using CT or a dedicated device in 270 hemodialysis patients(age: 63.3 +/- 12.3 years, male 56.3%). During a median follow-up period of 54 months, cardiovascular deaths or events occurred in 92 (34.1%) patients. Seventy (25.9%) patients died, 27 (38.6%) of them due to cardiovascular events. Whereas several baseline clinical covariates showed an associated risk for composite cardiovascular events in a univariate Cox proportional hazards analysis, almost all of them became insignificant when analyzed together. Only age, SFA, and a prevalence of diabetes remained significant in multivariate analysis. When both IMT and ABI were included in this model, all other covariates became insignificant, while ABI, but not IMT, was also related to the prediction of cardiovascular death on top of age and SFA. Both ABI and IMT were useful predictors for composite cardiovascular events, with ABI being also associated with a risk for cardiovascular deaths. In addition, SFA was a useful predictor for both cardiovascular events and cardiovascular deaths.
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Pulmonary hypertension in end-stage renal disease patients is associated with significantly increased morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in dialysis patients is relatively high and varies in different studies from 17% to 49.53% depending on the mode of dialysis and other selection factors, such as the presence of other cardiovascular comorbidities. The etiopathogenic mechanisms that have been studied in relatively small studies mainly include arteriovenous fistula-induced increased cardiac output, which cannot be accomodated by, the spacious under normal conditions pulmonary circulation. Additionally, pulmonary vessels show signs of endothelial dysfunction, dysregulation of vascular tone due to an imbalance in vasoactive substances, and local as well as systemic inflammation. It is also believed that microbubbles escaping from the dialysis circuit can trigger vasoconstriction and vascular sclerosis. The non-specific therapeutic options that proved to be beneficial in pulmonary artery pressure reduction are endothelin inhibitors, phosphodiesterase inhibitor sildenafil, and vasodilatory prostaglandins in various forms. The specific modes of treatment are renal transplantation, size reduction or closure of high-flow arteriovenous fistulas, and transfer from hemodialysis to peritoneal dialysis-a modality that is associated with a lesser prevalence of pulmonary hypertension.
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Background The prevalence, determinants and prognosis of pulmonary hypertension among long-term hemodialysis patients in the USA are poorly understood.MethodsA cross-sectional survey of prevalence and determinants of pulmonary hypertension was performed, followed by longitudinal follow-up for all-cause mortality. Pulmonary hypertension was defined as an estimated systolic pulmonary artery pressure of >35 mmHg using echocardiograms performed within an hour after the end of dialysis.ResultsPrevalent in 110/288 patients (38), the independent determinants of pulmonary hypertension were the following: left atrial diameter (odds ratio 10.1 per cm/m2, P < 0.0001), urea reduction ratio (odds ratio 0.94 per , P < 0.01) and vitamin D receptor activator use (odds ratio 0.41 for users, P < 0.01). Over a median follow-up of 2.15 years, 97 (34) patients died yielding a crude mortality rate (CMR) of 114.2 per 1000 patient-years. Of these, 58 deaths occurred among 110 patients with pulmonary hypertension (53, CMR 168.9/1000 patient-years) and 39 among 178 without pulmonary hypertension (22, CMR 52.5/1000 patient-years) [unadjusted hazard ratio (HR) for death 2.12 (95 confidence interval 1.41-3.19), P < 0.001]. After multivariate adjustment, pulmonary hypertension remained an independent predictor for all-cause mortality [HR 2.17 (95 confidence interval 1.31-3.61), P < 0.01].Conclusions Among hemodialysis patients, pulmonary hypertension is common and is strongly associated with an enlarged left atrium and poor long-term survival. Reducing left atrial size such as through volume control may be an attractive target to improve pulmonary hypertension. Improving pulmonary hypertension in this group of patients may improve the dismal outcomes.
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Cardiovascular diseases are responsible for about half of deaths and are the major cause of mortality in hemodialysis patients. The aim of this study is to assess left ventricular (LV) longitudinal myocardial functions by color tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) in patients with chronic renal failure on a regular hemodialysis program. Thirty-one patients on a regular hemodialysis program (mean age 47 +/- 12 years; 17 males, 14 females) were included into the study. Twenty-three healthy subjects (mean age 44 +/- 8 years; 15 males, 8 females) were studied as a control group. The patients had been on maintenance hemodialysis for at least 1 month and hemodialysis sessions were three times per week. For color TDI, apical two- and four-chamber views of left ventricle were used. Sample volumes were placed on the mid-left ventricle in the inner half of the myocardium at the septum, lateral, inferior, and anterior walls. Peak LV strain, peak systolic strain rate, peak early diastolic strain rate, peak late diastolic strain rate, peak systolic tissue velocity, peak early diastolic tissue velocity, and peak late diastolic tissue velocity values were measured. Mean peak LV strain, mean peak systolic strain rate, and mean peak systolic tissue velocity values were all lower in the hemodialysis group. Although mean peak late diastolic strain rate and mean peak late diastolic tissue velocity values were similar between the groups, mean peak early diastolic strain rate and mean peak early diastolic tissue velocity values were lower in the hemodialysis group. Patients with chronic renal failure on regular hemodialysis program show significant alterations at LV longitudinal myocardial function parameters assessed by color TDI.
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Chronic diseases present a significant challenge to 21st century global health policy. In developing nations, the growing prevalence of chronic diseases such as chronic kidney disease has severe implications on health and economic output. The rapid rise of common risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, especially among the poor, will result in even greater and more profound burdens that developing nations are not equipped to handle. Attention to chronic diseases, chronic kidney disease in particular, has been lacking, largely due to the global health community's focus on infectious diseases and lack of awareness. There is a critical need for funding in and to developing countries to implement more comprehensive, cost-effective, and preventative interventions against chronic diseases. This paper examines the epidemiology of chronic diseases, the growing prevalence of chronic kidney disease and its implications for global public health, and the associated health and economic burdens. Finally, a summary review of cost-effective interventions and funding needs is provided.