Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 24, 2026

Evaluation of Right Ventricular Function in Experimental Models of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
10:03

Evaluation of Right Ventricular Function in Experimental Models of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Published on: June 27, 2025

Hypertension control and its association with left ventricular hypertrophy in children and young people on dialysis:

Gordon Bruce1, Ravsimrat Chawla1, Alexandra Savis1

  • 1Department of Paediatric Nephrology, 3rd Floor Beckett House, Evelina London Children's Hospital, Guys & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7EH, UK.

Pediatric Nephrology (Berlin, Germany)
|May 22, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Hypertension in children on dialysis is linked to heart issues. Managing blood pressure and monitoring biomarkers like NT-proBNP may improve outcomes for pediatric dialysis patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nephrology
  • Cardiology
  • Hypertension Research

Background:

  • Hypertension is a significant risk factor for adverse outcomes in children undergoing dialysis.
  • Limited longitudinal data exist on ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and cardiac outcomes in pediatric dialysis patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between ABPM, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), and cardiac outcomes in children and young people (CYP) initiating dialysis.
  • To assess changes in LVH and LV mass over 12 months of dialysis treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective, longitudinal study of 32 CYP (age 5-18) with paired echocardiogram and ABPM at baseline and 12-month follow-up.
  • LVH defined by age-specific indexed left ventricular mass (LVMI) and LV mass-for-height z-score ≥ 95th percentile.
  • Hypertension defined by ABPM ≥ 95th percentile; categorization included persistent hypertension, resolved hypertension, persistent normotension, or emergent hypertension.

Main Results:

  • LVH prevalence decreased from 37.5% at baseline to 25% at follow-up, notably improving with hemodialysis but not peritoneal dialysis.
  • Persistent hypertension in CYP was associated with higher rates of LVH and indexed LV mass at follow-up.
  • Changes in LVMI were independently associated with baseline LVH and changes in N-terminal pro-brain b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), suggesting a role for fluid overload.

Conclusions:

  • Persistent hypertension in pediatric dialysis patients is linked to worse cardiac remodeling (LVH).
  • The correlation between NT-proBNP and LVMI changes suggests fluid overload is a key factor.
  • NT-proBNP may serve as a valuable biomarker for optimizing hypertension management in this population.
Abstract

Keywords:
Cardiovascular diseaseChildrenHypertensionKidney failureLeft ventricular hypertrophyLeft ventricular mass indexNT pro-BNPYoung people

More Related Videos

A Model of Reverse Vascular Remodeling in Pulmonary Hypertension Due to Left Heart Disease by Aortic Debanding in Rats07:41

A Model of Reverse Vascular Remodeling in Pulmonary Hypertension Due to Left Heart Disease by Aortic Debanding in Rats

Published on: March 1, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure01:18

Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure

Hypertension, the most common cardiovascular disease, is diagnosed through repeated measurements of elevated blood pressure. Its risks, including damage to the kidney, heart, and brain, are directly proportional to blood pressure levels. Starting from 115/75 mm Hg, the risk of cardiovascular disease doubles with each increment of 20/10 mm Hg. The diagnosis relies on blood pressure measurements, not on patient symptoms, as hypertension is often asymptomatic until end-organ damage is imminent or...
Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:30

Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

Hypertension is asymptomatic and also referred to as the "silent killer" until it progresses to a severe stage or causes target organ disease. Patients may experience symptoms stemming from the strain on blood vessels and tissues in various organs or the heart's increased workload.Physical exams might show no abnormalities other than high blood pressure. Signs of vascular damage, when present, correspond to the organs supplied by the affected vessels, leading to target organ damage. For...
Hypertension II: Pathophysiology01:29

Hypertension II: Pathophysiology

Hypertension is a chronic condition in which the blood's force against artery walls is excessively high, posing risks such as heart disease. The condition's underlying mechanisms involve complex interactions among the cardiovascular, kidney, and autonomic nervous systems.Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS): This system significantly influences blood pressure regulation. When blood pressure decreases, the kidneys secrete renin. This enzyme transforms angiotensinogen, a plasma protein,...
Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology01:29

Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology

Systolic Heart Failure and Compensatory MechanismsSystolic heart failure (also termed HFrEF, Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) is the most prevalent type of heart filure. It results in a decreased volume of blood being pumped from the ventricle. The aortic arch and carotid sinuses have baroreceptors that detect reduced blood pressure, triggering the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to release epinephrine and norepinephrine. Initially, this response aims to boost heart rate and...
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...
Hypertension I: Introduction01:28

Hypertension I: Introduction

Hypertension is a widespread, long-term medical condition where blood pressure in the arteries remains elevated. It is characterized by systolic blood pressure readings of 130 mm Hg or above or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) readings of 80 mm Hg or higher. Unmanaged hypertension poses significant health risks, making the distinction between primary (or essential) hypertension and secondary hypertension crucial, as their management and implications vary.Primary HypertensionPrimary hypertension,...