[Heart rate variability alteration in patients on chronic hemodialysis].
OBJECTIVE
Decrease in heart rate variability (HRV) is a known risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The aim of our study is to evaluate HRV in chronic hemodialysis patients and to determine factors that might decrease or increase it.


METHODS
This is a retrospective study including 51 patients, 23 males and 28 females, with a mean of age of 64.5 years (23-84 years) on chronic hemodialysis for end stage renal disease due to various causes. Twenty-four-hour heart rate monitoring was recorded in all patients to evaluate HRV. HRV of hemodialysis patients was compared to normal patients (control). We also looked for correlation between HRV and a number of clinical and biological factors.


RESULTS
All HRV parameters were decreased in chronic hemodialysis patients compared to normal controls with a significant difference (p<0.0005). HRV decreases with age (p=0.012), and is lower in diabetic patients (p=0.026). Interestingly, we found that chronic hemodialysis patients on beta-blockers had higher HRV with p=0.011.


CONCLUSIONS
HRV is reduced in chronic hemodialysis patients mainly in old and diabetic patients, but this decrease is less important in those receiving beta-blockers.
Salameh
E
E
Département de cardiologie, hôpital Hôtel-Dieu-de-France, Alfred-Naccache Street, Achrafieh, PO Box 166830, Beyrouth-Liban, Liban. etsalame@hotmail.com
Mallat
S
S
Hamdan
R
R
Azar
H
H
Azar
R
R
Kadri
Z
Z
Kassab
R
R
Abou Jaude
S
S
Badaoui
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors