Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
08:50

Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

Published on: June 16, 2014

Arterial stiffness in hemodialysis: which parameter to measure to predict cardiovascular mortality?

Taha El Hadj Othmane1, János Nemcsik, Bertalan Cs Fekete

  • 11st Department of Medicine, Semmelweis University Budapest, Budapest, Hungary. tahaothmane@yahoo.com

Kidney & Blood Pressure Research
|September 16, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Arterial stiffness parameters like pulse wave velocity (PWV) and pulse pressure amplification (AMP) predict cardiovascular death in hemodialysis patients. PWV is consistently linked to mortality, while predialysis AMP offers additional prognostic value.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Cardiology
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Arterial stiffness is linked to cardiovascular mortality in hemodialysis patients.
  • The relative prognostic value of different arterial stiffness parameters is not well-established in a single cohort.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the prognostic value of carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), carotid augmentation index, carotid pulse pressure (CPP), and carotid-brachial pulse pressure amplification (AMP) for cardiovascular mortality in hemodialysis patients.
  • To compare the predictive power of these arterial stiffness parameters within a single cohort.

Main Methods:

  • Ninety-eight hemodialysis patients had arterial stiffness parameters measured before and after hemodialysis.
  • Patients were followed for a median of 29 months for cardiovascular mortality.
  • Statistical analysis included log-rank tests and Cox proportional hazards regressions.

Main Results:

  • Increasing predialysis and postdialysis PWV tertiles were significantly associated with cardiovascular mortality (p=0.012 and p=0.011).
  • Decreasing predialysis AMP tertiles were significantly associated with cardiovascular mortality (p<0.001).
  • Carotid augmentation index and carotid pulse pressure were not significantly related to cardiovascular mortality.

Conclusions:

  • Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a consistent predictor of cardiovascular mortality in hemodialysis patients, regardless of measurement timing.
  • Predialysis carotid-brachial pulse pressure amplification (AMP) provides additional prognostic information beyond PWV.
  • PWV and predialysis AMP are independently associated with cardiovascular mortality in this cohort.

More Related Videos

Measuring the Carotid to Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (Cf-PWV) to Evaluate Arterial Stiffness05:51

Measuring the Carotid to Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (Cf-PWV) to Evaluate Arterial Stiffness

Published on: May 3, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation01:21

Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation

Clinical manifestationsPeripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) manifests through a range of symptoms, from the characteristic intermittent claudication to atypical presentations and severe complications in advanced stages. Intermittent claudication, a hallmark symptom of PAD, presents as exercise-induced muscle pain that typically resolves within minutes of rest. This pain is reproducible and stems from inadequate blood flow, leading to the accumulation of lactic acid produced during anaerobic...
Hemodialysis II: Procedure and Complications01:24

Hemodialysis II: Procedure and Complications

DialyzersA hemodialysis (HD) dialyzer is a plastic cartridge containing thousands of parallel hollow fibers, which serve as semipermeable membranes. These fibers are typically made from cellulose-based or other synthetic materials. During HD, blood is pumped into the top of the cartridge and distributed among these fibers. Simultaneously, dialysis fluid, known as dialysate, is introduced into the bottom of the cartridge, bathing the outside of the fibers. Across the semipermeable membrane,...
Hemodialysis III: Nursing Management01:25

Hemodialysis III: Nursing Management

The nursing management of a patient undergoing hemodialysis includes several critical steps, starting with a thorough assessment before the procedure.Before the Hemodialysis ProcedureFirst, record the patient's vital signs—blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature—to establish a baseline. This baseline is essential for detecting conditions such as hypotension that could impact the patient's response to dialysis. Document the patient's pre-dialysis weight, as this measurement...
Hemodialysis I: Introduction01:25

Hemodialysis I: Introduction

Hemodialysis (HD) is a medical treatment that artificially removes waste products, excess fluids, and toxins from the blood when the kidneys are no longer able to perform these functions effectively. In this process, blood is filtered through a semipermeable membrane, allowing for the selective removal of waste while preserving necessary components like blood cells and proteins. Hemodialysis is typically performed in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or severe kidney...
Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests01:27

Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests

Atherosclerosis is a progressive disorder that leads to the thickening and narrowing of arterial walls due to plaque buildup. This condition can cause various symptoms depending on the arteries affected:Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): This condition affects the coronary arteries and may lead to chest pain (angina), shortness of breath (dyspnea), heart attacks, and other heart disease symptoms.Cerebrovascular Disease: This affects blood flow to the brain, causing transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)...
Assessing Blood pressure in the Leg01:11

Assessing Blood pressure in the Leg

Proper measurement of leg blood pressure is a critical skill for healthcare providers, ensuring precise and reliable readings. When performed correctly, this procedure informs patient care and enhances the efficacy of interventions. The following text outlines step-by-step guidelines to measure blood pressure in the leg, providing clarity and ease of understanding for practitioners.
Preparation: