CAROTID – FEMORAL PULSE WAVE VELOCITY (PWV) AND 48-HOUR AMBULATORY BLOOD PRESSURE IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS: PP.27.71

Abstract

Objectives: Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), a measure of large artery stiffness, is an important predictor of cardiovascular (CV) events in general population and also in hemodialysis (HD) patients. In general population PWV is strongly associated with age and blood pressure (BP), findings with regard to its relation with other risk factors have been inconsistent. The best timing and method of BP measurement in HD patients is still uncertain. Ambulatory blood pressure measurements (ABPM) have been used to better define the relationship between BP, target organ damage, and outcomes in HD patients. The aim of this study was to find out possible association between PWV and 48-hour ABPM in chronic HD patients. Methods: Thirty three HD patients (22 men, 11 women) were included. Ten (30.3%) patients were habitual smokers and 6 (18.2%) patients were diabetics. Arterial stiffness was estimated on the interdialytic day by PWV, using Complior SP device (Artech Medical, Pantin, France). BP was measured before PWV measurement, 48-hour ABPM were performed after the end of HD session using a non-invasive ABPM monitor (Spacelabs 90207, USA). Results: Data of included patients are summarized in the table. Using regression analysis no association between PWV and BP before PWV measurements was found. Statistically significant correlation between PWV and 48-hour systolic (P < 0.002) and also 48-hour diastolic ABPM (P < 0.016) were found. Using multiple regression analysis (including age, sex, smoking, diabetes, body mass index, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides) 48-hour systolic (P < 0.001) and diastolic ABPM (P < 0.005) still remain statistically significant associated with PWV. Conclusion: Only 48-hour ABPM were associated with PWV in HD patients in our study. We found no relation between PWV and other risk factors for CV disease.