Arterial stiffness is evaluated with the measurement of pulse wave velocity (PWV), while overhydration (OH) and nutritional status are evaluated with bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS). In this study, we investigated the effect of a single dialysis session on arterial stiffness, hydration status, and laboratory parameters. The observational, cross-sectional, cohort study included 71 HD patients with mean age 64 ± 16 yrs. A Complior device was used to perform PWV measurements. The patients were examined immediately before and 15 min after a mid-week hemodialysis session. Body fluids and nutritional status were studied using a Body Composition Monitor (BCM), Fresenius Medical Care. Clinical and laboratory data were also analyzed. Multivariate regression analysis of PWV before HD showed that an OH increase of 1 L relate to a PWV parameter rise before HD of 0.523 m/s. Multivariate regression analysis of PWV after HD showed that a rise of central SBP after HD of 10 mmHg relate to a PWV increase after HD of 0.707 m/s. Our data indicate that hydration status and blood pressure may be major determinants of PWV in HD patients.
There are reports indicating that myocardial dysfunction in systemic immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis (AL amyloidosis) stems not only from the amyloid deposit in the organ but also the cardiotoxicity of the amyloid precursor free light chains (FLCs) circulating in the blood. The aim of the study is to analyze the role of sFLC κ and λ in the assessment of heart involvement and the degree of myocardial damage in AL amyloidosis. The study involved 71 patients diagnosed with primary AL amyloidosis. The relationship between sFLC concentrations and cardiac biochemical and echocardiographic parameters was assessed. The median concentrations of N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP) and troponin I (TnI) were significantly higher in patients with amyloids formed from monoclonal λ chains compared to patients with monoclonal κ proliferation. In patients with heart involvement by amyloids formed from monoclonal FLC, the study demonstrated a statistically significant positive correlation between the concentration of monoclonal antibody λ chain and TnI (R = 0.688; p < 0.05), NT-proBNP (R = 0.449; p < 0.05), and the value of diastolic dimension of the interventricular septum (IVS; R = 0.496, p < 0.05). The above data indicate that the presence of monoclonal λ chains in patients with AL amyloidosis may be associated with more severe damage to cardiomyocytes and dysfunction of the myocardium.
BACKGROUND:Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been associated with decreased graft survival and increased complications in renal transplant recipients (RTRs). The objectives of this study were to explore the relationship between body composition and hemodynamic parameters (cardiac index [CI] and systemic vascular resistance index [SVRI]) in RTRs. MATERIAL AND METHODS:The study included 80 RTRs (mean age: 51±8 yrs) who had been admitted to our Nephrology and Transplantology Clinic at 0.5 to 28 years after KTx. The control groups consisted of the 40 patients receiving hemodialysis and 20 health-care professionals. A Cardioscreen 1000 monitor (Messtechnik, Ilmenau, Germany) was used to perform non-invasive hemodynamic measurements. Body composition was studied using a Tanita BC 418 body composition analyzer (Tanita Corp., Tokyo, Japan). Clinical and laboratory data were also analyzed. RESULTS:One-way ANOVA confirmed statistically significant differences between RTRs, HD patients, and the control group in CI (2.8±0.3 vs. 3.1±0.7 vs. 3.5±0.6 L/min/m2, P<0.001, respectively) and SVRI (2619±492 vs. 2307±701 vs. 2012±452 d·s/cm–5/m², P<0.001, respectively). In RTRs with functioning AVF, our study revealed significantly higher CI (2.9±0.3 vs. 2.7±0.4 L/min/m², P=0.004) and significantly lower SVRI (2497±286 vs. 2729±605 d·s/cm–5/m², P=0.035). CONCLUSIONS:In conclusion, our data indicate that cardiovascular manifestations in the RTRs group are mainly related to decreased CI and HR in addition to increased SVRI with high arterial blood pressure.
BACKGROUND:Very aggressive ultrafiltration rate (lasting 3.5–4 h) may result in inadequate hemodialysis (HD). Our aim was to characterize HD-induced cardiovascular adaptation and its links to fluid removal during 4- vs. 5-h HD sessions. MATERIAL AND METHODS:The study involved 50 HD patients. A Cardioscreen device (Messtechnik, Ilmenau, Germany) was used to perform non-invasive hemodynamic measurements during mid-week HD sessions. Body fluids and nutritional status were assessed with a Body Composition Monitor (Fresenius Medical Care). Clinical and laboratory data were also analyzed. RESULTS:It was shown that when comparing 3 times a week 4- vs. 5-h dialysis sessions, body mass index (BMI [kg/m²]), Kt/V, and ultrafiltration volume (UFV [mL]) were significantly lower in the 4-h dialysis group (23.1±3.5 vs. 27.1±4.7; 1.36±0.28 vs. 1.55±0.23; 1770±601 vs. 2831±836; P<0.05, respectively). Cardiac index (CI [L/min/m²]) and thoracic fluid content (TFC [1/kW]) were significantly reduced in 4-h dialysis sessions (3.1±0.6 to 2.7±0.7; 35.1±8.4 to 32.8±6.8; P<0.05, respectively). In patients treated with 5-h dialysis sessions, we found that heart rate (HR [bpm]) was significantly increased (69±10 to 74±15; P<0.05) and TFC was reduced (34.3±8.9 to 31.5±8.2; P<0.05). In patients treated with 4-h dialysis sessions, systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI [dyn·s·cm^–5/m²]) increased from 2369±799 before HD to 2592±735 after HD (P=0.342). CONCLUSIONS:The obtained data indicate that in extended (5-h) HD sessions, hemodynamic compensation occurred with increased HR, while in short (4-h) HD sessions, compensation occurred with increased SVRI. Providing longer but less intensive HD is more physiologic than the conventional therapy, and will improve patient tolerability and clinical outcomes.
