No harmful effect of dialysis-induced hypotension on the myocardium in patients who have normal ejection fraction and a negative exercise test.

Background: We investigated the effects of dialysis-induced hypotension (DIH) on the myocardium of patients who have a normal ejection fraction and normal treadmill stress tests.

Methods: This study included 26 end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with DIH, 30 ESRD patients without DIH (non-DIH), and 30 control subjects. Mitral-myocardial systolic velocity (MSV), the mitral E'/A' ratio, the left ventricle filling pressure index (E/E' ratio), tricuspid-MSV, and the tricuspid E'/A' ratio were calculated.

Results: Biventricular systolic and diastolic functions were impaired in dialysis patients. The mitral and tricuspid MSV were similar between DIH and non-DIH patients (8.03 ± 0.90 cm/s vs. 8.31 ± 1.68 cm/s, p = 0.896, and 13.27 ± 2.97 cm/s vs. 13.15 ± 2.37 cm/s, p = 0.980). Mitral and tricuspid E'/A' were similar between DIH and non-DIH patients. (1.30 ± 0.53 vs. 1.16 ± 0.56, p = 0.695, and 0.70 ± 0.24 vs. 0.68 ± 0.33, p = 0.976). Likewise, the E/E' ratio was similar between DIH and non-DIH patients (8.20 ± 2.83 vs. 8.28 ± 2.53, p = 0.990).

Conclusion: Although biventricular systolic and diastolic function is impaired in dialysis patients compared to controls, DIH episodes did not have an adverse effect on the myocardial functions.