MEASUREMENT OF PULSE WAVE VELOCITY IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS

Abstract

Objective: Cardiovascular complications represent the leading cause of death in chronic kidney disease. These patients combine classical and unconventional cardiovascular risk factors. Arterial stiffness, assessed by measuring the pulse wave velocity (PWV), is a reliable means of assessing cardiovascular risk. It has been rarely studied in hemodialysis patients. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the level of arterial stiffness by measuring carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity in a population of chronic hemodialysis patients and to investigate factors contributing to arterial stiffness. Design and method: We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive study concerning the carotid-femoral pulse wave in hemodialysis patients during two years. Results: Our population included 38 chronic hemodialysis patients. Mean duration of hemodialysis was 29.21 ± 24.56 months. The mean age was 49 ± 13 years (16–78 years). Twelve patients were hypertensive (31.6%). Mean arterial pressure was 95 ± 13.5 mmHg. Hemoglobin value was 9.20 ± 1.66 g / dl. PTH was 714 ± 573 ng / l. PWV was 9.03 ± 2.73 m / s (5–16 m / s). Univariate analysis concluded that PWV acceleration was correlated with age, history of stroke, history of coronary artery disease, diabetes, HTA, elevated PTH and elevated CRP. Conclusions: A better understanding of factors influencing arterial stiffness, allows to intensify primary and secondary prevention in hemodialysis patients.