Valvular dysfunction in uraemia

Regurgitation of the pulmonary, mitral, tricuspid and aortic valves have been observed frequently in chronic renal failure (CRF) and dialysis patients. Two dimensional, M mode and doppler echocardiography were performed on 35 CRF patients and 37 end stage renal failure (ESRD) patients on maintenance haemodialysis. Though structurally normal, valvular dysfunction was noted in 50 per cent of the patients with renal failure. Mitral regurgitation was the commonest abnormality, occurring in 36.1 per cent of the patients. Calcification of the valve was observed in only 5.6 and 16.7 per cent of CRF and dialysis patients respectively. Multiple regression analysis underscored the large contribution of diabetic status in the development of valvular dysfunction. Though end systolic volume was higher in patients with valvular abnormalities, the ejection fraction was well preserved. However, follow up studies are required to assess the significance of the functional valvular regurgitation on the cardiac function of the patients.