Volume status and arterial stiffness evaluation in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Background: Arterial stiffness represents an independent risk factor for cardiovascular mortality in dialysis patients and is strongly connected to hypervolemia. The aim of the study was to evaluate different methods for fluid status assessment and their association with arterial stiffness parameters in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Materials And Methods: In 16 peritoneal dialysis patients (53 ± 18 years, 9/16 men) fluid status was determined by clinical examination, lung ultrasound (number of B-lines, normal up to 4), overhydration degree by bioimpedance monitor device, estimation of central venous pressure by ultrasound measurement of vena cava inferior, measurement of serum N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and albumin level.