Relationship of Calcified Plaques of Carotid and Femoral Arteries with Left ventricular Hypertrophy in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients

Abstract

Objectives: Two Principle findings of cardiovascular disease in end-stage renal disease patients undergoing regular hemodialysis are left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and arterial disease due to rapidly progressive atherosclerotic vascular disease that can be characterized by arterial plaques. In this study we aimed to study the relationship of left ventricular hypertrophy with plaques of carotid-femoral artery in end-stage renal disease patients undergoing regular hemodialysis. Patients and Methods: 61 patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), undergoing regular and maintenance hemodialysis treatment (F=23 M=38), consisting of 50 non-diabetic hemodialysis patients (F=20 M=30) and 11 diabetic hemodialysis patients (F=3 M=8) were selected for this study. In all subjects echocardiography and B-mode ultrsonographic assessment of carotidfemoral arteries for plaque occurrence were performed. Results: In this study there was a positive correlation between stages of LVH and duration of hemodialysis treatment, a positive correlation between stages of LVH and stages of hypertension, significant association between stages of LVH with plaque score, and also a positive correlation between stages of LVH and presence of chest pain, as well as association of diabetes mellitus with the presence of chest pain and positive correlation between stages of HTN and plaque score. In addition, plaque score and percent of LV ejection fraction correlations were observed. Also, the association of plaque score with diabetes mellitus was demonstrated. Conclusions: The present study documents parallel cardiac and vascular adaptation in ESRD patients and demonstrates the potential contribution of structural and functional large artery alteration to the pathogenesis of left ventricular hypertrophy.