[Comparison of left ventricular function in children hemodialyzed with bicarbonate and acetate. An echocardiographic...

Left ventricular function before and after hemodialysis with acetate (A) and hemodialysis with bicarbonate (B) was investigated in 8 children on regular dialysis treatment. The decrease in left ventricular volume overload is similar in A and B. There is a significant increase in shortening fraction (B: 9,7 +/- 16,1%; p less than 0,05. A: 7,8 +/- 10,9%; p less than 0,05), in velocity of circumferential fiber shortening (Vcf) (B: 30,6 +/- 16,5%; p less than 0,0005. A: 23,5 +/- 16,6%; p less than 0,0025) and in corrected Vcf (B: 19,3 +/- 16,4%; p less than 0,0025. A: 13,6 +/- 11,4%; p less than 0,005). The ratio of pre-ejection period with the left ventricular ejection time (PEP/LVET) is increased significatively only after hemodialysis with bicarbonate. This difference may be due to a better left ventricular function in hemodialysis with bicarbonate than with acetate.