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Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
Published on: June 16, 2014
Peripheral chemosensor function is blunted in moderate to severe chronic kidney disease
Tienush Rassaf1, Per Schueller, Ralf Westenfeld
1Division of Cardiology, Pulmonology and Angiology, University of Duesseldorf, Germany.
International Journal of Cardiology
|October 29, 2010
Summary
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is linked to increased cardiovascular risk due to sympathetic hyperactivity. This study found impaired hyperoxic chemoreflex sensitivity (CHRS) in CKD patients, indicating altered chemosensor function.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Autonomic Nervous System Function
Background:
- Cardiovascular mortality is elevated in chronic kidney disease (CKD).
- Sympathetic hyperactivity is a potential contributor to this increased mortality.
- Impaired hyperoxic chemoreflex sensitivity (CHRS) is linked to elevated sympathetic tone.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate alterations in chemosensor function in patients with chronic kidney disease.
- To determine if hyperoxic chemoreflex sensitivity (CHRS) is affected by CKD stages.
Main Methods:
- Assessed CHRS in 35 healthy individuals and 55 CKD patients (stages 3 and 4).
- Calculated CHRS by measuring changes in R-R intervals relative to oxygen pressure changes.
- Defined a CHRS below 3.0 ms/mmHg as pathological.
Main Results:
- CHRS was significantly depressed in stage 3 (2.9 ± 0.9 ms/mmHg) and stage 4 (2.1 ± 0.6 ms/mmHg) CKD patients compared to controls (6.7 ± 0.9 ms/mmHg).
- A negative correlation was observed between serum creatinine and CHRS (r=-0.51; P<0.001).
- Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was the sole independent predictor of pathological CHRS.
Conclusions:
- Evidence suggests blunted peripheral chemosensor function in individuals with CKD.
- This finding supports the basis for interventional studies on chemosensor function in CKD patients.
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