Left ventricular function in end-stage renal disease: echocardiographic classification

We used echocardiography (ECHO) to detect pericardial effusions and assess left ventricular (LV) function in 39 patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Pericardial effusions were present in 24 patients (62%). Thirty-one patients (79%) had concentric hypertrophy and 20 patients (51%) had decreased LV compliance. The majority of patients with concentric hypertrophy and decreased LV compliance had normal LV internal dimensions and contractility. Six patients (15%) had ECHO results compatible with congestive cardiomyopathy. An echocardiographic distinction between congestive heart failure, decreased LV compliance, and salt and water overload in ESRD has allowed an appropriate therapeutic decision as to whether to administer cardiac glycosides or increase ultrafiltration as a treatment for pulmonary congestion. ECHO is a safe, convenient, and noninvasive method of assessing serial LV function, and it can be used to document progressive deterioration of LV function in ESRD.