A novel association between residual renal function and left ventricular hypertrophy in peritoneal dialysis patients.
BACKGROUND
Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and dialysis adequacy are both important predictors for mortality in dialysis patients. This study evaluated the association between residual renal function (RRF) and the severity of LVH in endstage renal failure (ESRF) patients undergoing long-term continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).


METHODS
A cross-section study was performed with left ventricular mass index (LVMi), determined in 158 non-diabetic CAPD patients using echocardiography and its relationship with residual glomerular filtration rate (GFR), peritoneal dialysis (PD) and total weekly urea clearance (Kt/V) and other known risk factors for LVH was evaluated.


RESULTS
Twelve patients had no LVH (group I). The remaining 146 patients were stratified [group II (lowest), III and IV (highest)] according to the LVMi (median 207 g/m2; range 103 to 512 g/m2). Across the four groups of patients with increasing LVMi, there was significant decline in GFR (2.27 +/- 1.98 vs. 1.49 +/- 1.58 vs. 1.61 +/- 1.91 vs. 0.80 +/- 1.42 mL/min/1.73 m2; P = 0.011) and total weekly Kt/V (1.98 +/- 0.44 vs. 1.96 +/- 0.38 vs. 1.92 +/- 0.42 vs. 1.71 +/- 0.42; P = 0.037); however, PD Kt/V was similar for all four groups. Patients with better-preserved residual GFR not only had significantly higher total Kt/V, but were less anemic and hypoalbuminemic and had a trend toward lower systolic blood pressure and arterial pulse pressure. Multiple regression analysis showed that other than age, gender, body weight, arterial pulse pressure, hemoglobin and serum albumin, known factors for LVH, residual GFR (estimated mean -7.94; 95% confidence interval -15.13 to -0.74; P = 0.031) was also independently associated with LVMi.


CONCLUSIONS
Other than anemia, hypoalbuminemia and arterial pulse pressure, this study demonstrates an important, novel association between the degree of RRF and severity of LVH in ESRF patients undergoing long-term CAPD. Prospective studies are needed to define if indeed there is a cause-effect relationship between this association, to evaluate if a decline in residual GFR is independently associated with an increase in LVMi, and to determine whether treatment directed at preserving RRF will reduce the severity of LVH, improve cardiac performance and hence survival of these patients.
Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, China. awang@cuhk.edu.hk
Angela Yee-Moon
AY
Wang
Mei
M
Wang
Jean
J
Woo
Man-Ching
MC
Law
Kai-Ming
KM
Chow
Philip Kam-Tao
PK
Li
Siu-Fai
SF
Lui
John Elsby
JE
Sanderson
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006801:Humans; D017379:Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007668:Kidney / Q000502:physiology; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010531:Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D014511:Uremia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy