[Function of the left heart atrium during hemodialysis]

In 23 chronic uremic patients effect of four-hour hemodialysis on function the left atrium of the heart was investigated. The reference group consisted of 17 healthy subjects. The function was evaluated by cross-sectional Doppler echocardiography. Before hemodialysis maximal (LAmax) and minimal (LAmin) left atrial dimensions and left atrial dimension obtained in M-mode of long axis in parasternal projection (LAa), pre-ejection period (PEPlp), ejection time (ETlp), PEPlo/ETlp ratio and left atrial fiber shortening fraction (FS%lp) were significantly higher in chronic uremic patients than those found in healthy subjects. Four-hour hemodialysis induced decreases in these indices, but only a lowering of LAa, PEPlp/ETlp ratio was statistically significant in comparison with pre-dialysis period. No correlation was found between changes of the investigated indices of the left atrial function and body weight loss during hemodialysis.