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Hemodialysis with high-calcium dialysate impairs cardiac relaxation

S E Näppi1, H H Saha, V K Virtanen

  • 1University of Tampere, Medical School, Tampere, Finland.

Kidney International
|February 23, 1999
PubMed

Insights

High-calcium hemodialysis (HD) impairs left ventricular (LV) relaxation. This study found that using a dialysate calcium concentration of 1.75 mmol/liter during HD significantly worsened LV relaxation compared to lower concentrations.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Cardiology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Serum ionized calcium levels correlate with dialysate calcium concentration during hemodialysis (HD).
  • Previous research indicated that acute hypercalcemia can impair left ventricular (LV) relaxation.
  • The study investigated the impact of serum calcium changes on LV function during HD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if varying dialysate calcium concentrations during HD affect LV relaxation and systolic function.
  • To assess the relationship between dialysate calcium levels and serum ionized calcium in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients.

Main Methods:

  • Echocardiographic evaluation of LV relaxation and systolic function in 12 ESRD patients.
  • Patients underwent three HD treatments with varying dialysate calcium concentrations (1.25, 1.50, and 1.75 mmol/liter).
  • Comparison with age- and sex-matched healthy controls.

Main Results:

  • Patients exhibited impaired LV relaxation and systolic function compared to controls.
  • Serum ionized calcium increased significantly during HD with 1.50 and 1.75 mmol/liter dialysate calcium.
  • LV relaxation was significantly impaired during HD with 1.75 mmol/liter dialysate calcium (higher concentration).

Conclusions:

  • Hemodialysis using a high-calcium dialysate (1.75 mmol/liter) negatively impacts LV relaxation.
  • Lower dialysate calcium concentrations (1.25 and 1.50 mmol/liter) did not show the same degree of impairment.
  • Dialysate calcium levels should be carefully managed during HD to protect cardiac function.
Abstract

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