title: The association between left ventricular hypertrophy and biomarkers in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a major cardiovascular complication and an important predictor of mortality in patients with end stage renal disease. Some studies have shown that the serum aldosterone levels are correlated with LVH in non-diabetic patients undergoing hemodialysis. The objective of this study was to elucidate the relationships between serum biomarkers, including aldosterone, and echocardiographic findings, such as LVH, in patients on peritoneal dialysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) for >12 months at Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital were included. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed and the left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was calculated using the Devereux formula. Serum biomarkers {N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), troponin T, C-reactive protein, renin, and aldosterone} were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixteen of 30 patients had LVH on the basis of the LVMI. The mean serum aldosterone level was 62.53+/-60.73 pg/mL (range, 5.03-250.68 pg/mL). LVH, on the basis of the LVMI, was not correlated with the serum aldosterone level. The serum aldosterone levels were not associated with echocardiographic findings, even with co-existing diabetes mellitus. The LVMI had a negative correlation with the hemoglobin (r=-0.405, p=0.029) and hematocrit (r=-0.374, p=0.042), and a positive correlation with NT-proBNP (r=0.560, p=0.002). The other biomarkers (renin, aldosterone, troponin T, and C-reactive protein) were not correlated with the LVMI. The LVMI was correlated with the left atrium volume index (r=0.675, p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NT-proBNP is a good marker to predict LVH in patients undergoing CAPD. The serum aldosterone level is not correlated with LVMI, even with co-existing diabetes mellitus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan, Korea.
authors.forename: Sang-Ho
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Se-Whan
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Seung-Jin
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Won-Yong
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Dong-Kyu
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Hyo-Wook
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Gil
authors.forename: Jong-Oh
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Eun-Young
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Sae-Yong
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Hong