The value of plasma noradrenaline as an index of stress in haemodialysis patients with fluid overload

Chronic fluid overload in haemodialysis (HD) patients can exacerbate hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy. In this study we have shown that large ultrafiltration volumes during HD are associated with a significant increase in plasma noradrenaline (NA) concentrations. This may have important implications because of the reported relationship between raised plasma NA values, ventricular hypertrophy and cardiac morbidity. In addition, we review the literature on catecholamines and HD and identify problems that arise in such patients with end-stage renal disease.