Original Article Prevalence and Prognostic Impact of Diastolic Dysfunction in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease on Hemodialysis

Background: Diastolic dysfunction (DD) is frequent in patients on hemodialysis (HD), but its impact on the clinical evolution is yet to be established. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and prognostic impact of left ventricular (LV) advanced diastolic dysfunction (ADD) in patients on hemodialysis. Methods: The echocardiograms were performed during the first year of HD therapy, in patients with sinus rhythm, with no evidence of cardiovascular disease, excluding those with significant valvopathy or pericardial effusion. The combined assessment of the Doppler echocardiographic data classified the diastolic dysfunction as: 1) normal diastolic function; 2) mild DD (relaxation alteration) and 3) ADD (pseudonormalization and restrictive flow pattern). The assessed outcomes were general mortality and cardiovascular events. Results: A total of 129 patients (78 males), aged 52 ± 16 years, with a DD prevalence of 73 % (50 % with mild DD and 23 % with ADD) were included in the study. The group with ADD was older (p < 0.01) and presented higher systolic (p < 0.01) and diastolic BP (p = 0.043), LV mass (p < 0.01), left atrial volume index (p < 0.01) and number of diabetic patients (p = 0.019), as well as lower ejection fraction (EF) (p < 0.01). After 17 ± 7 months, the general mortality was significantly higher in individuals with ADD, when compared to those with normal function and mild DD (p = 0.012