[Left ventricular performance in chronic hemodialysis patients studied during intense exercise and during a dextran...

In 14 chronic hemodialysis patients with recent circulatory pulmonary congestion or pulmonary edema, left ventricular failure was suspected. Left ventricular function was studied by a sitting exercise test and a dextran infusion test. According to the left ventricular function curves the left ventricular function was not altered in chronic hemodialysis patients compared to normal subjects. It is possible that on average the left ventricular performances is higher in chronic hemodialysis patients than in normal subjects. These results indicate that circulatory pulmonary congestion and pulmonary edema are not reliable signs of left ventricular failure in chronic hemodialysis patients.