Impact of Hemodialysis on Left Ventricular Performance: A Doppler Echocardiographic Study

Kang, Dong Oh; Lee, Du Ha; Kim, Hyun Seo; Kim, Hyun Su; Kim, Sung Rok; Park, Jong Seon

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular diastolic filling is an important determinant for maintenance of cardiac output during hemodialysis. Few investigators have studied the influence of hemodialysis on diastolic function. To evaluate the change of left ventricular systolic and diastolic function, we performed M-mode and Doppler echocardiopraphic studies before and after hemodialysis.
METHODS
The study population consisted of 30 patients(15 patients were male, mean age 45+/-10 years) with CRF on maintenance henodialysis. They have normal left ventricular systolic function(Fractional shortening > 30%) and no evidence of valvular heart disease or regional wall motion abnormalities. The ejection fraction(EF) was measured using M-mode echocardiography and Doppler indices such as peak E velocity, peak A velocity, isovolumetric relaxaion time(IVRT), deceleration time(DT), and left ventricular ejection time(LVET) obtained from Doppler echocardiography. The index of myocardial performance(IMP) was calculated from each of the Doppler velocity indices.
RESULTS
The weight reduction after hemodialysis was 2.1+/-1.0kg(p<0.0001). After hemodialysiss, there was some decrease in blood pressure(p<0.05), but no significant change in heart rate, EF and fractional shortening, mean VCF, peak A velocity, and DT. And significant in IVRT and IMP(p<0.05, p<0.0001) were noted. CONCLUSTION: In conclusion, preload reduction is the main mechanism that accounts for changes in Doppler diastolic indices after hemodialysis. And and increased IMP suggests that diastolic function may be aggravated after gemodialysis, and that implies impaired left ventricular filling and disturbed left ventricular compliance.