Parathyroid hormone and systolic blood pressure accelerate the progression of aortic valve stenosis in chronic hemodialysis patients.

Background: Aortic valve stenosis (AS) is a frequent complication contributing to poor prognosis in chronic hemodialysis (CHD) patients. However, little is known regarding the risk factors affecting AS progression. The purpose of this study was to define risk factors affecting AS progression in CHD patients.

Methods: We retrospectively investigated 34 consecutive CHD patients with asymptomatic AS (mild in 9, moderate in 20, severe in 5; aortic valve area (AVA), 1.31±0.31cm(2); mean age, 69±8years) who underwent followed-up paired transthoracic echocardiography with period of at least six months apart (22±9months). AS progression was evaluated using the absolute reduction in AVA per year.

Results: CHD patients were divided into 20 patients with rapid progression (AVA reduction, >0.1cm(2) per year) and 14 with slow progression (AVA reduction, ≤ 0.1cm(2) per year). Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) level was significantly higher in patients with rapid progression than in those with slow progression [343±489pg/ml vs. 76±80pg/ml, P<0.05]. In univariate analysis, AS progression by absolute AVA reduction per year was associated with age, PTH level, initial AVA, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, and left ventricular diameter at end-diastole and end-systole. Multiple regression analysis indicated that serum PTH level and SBP remained independently associated with AS progression.

Conclusions: AS progression was accelerated in the presence of high PTH and SBP. Careful monitoring and intensive treatment of these parameters may have a beneficial effect on secondary prevention in CHD patients.