THE ASSESSMENT OF LEFT AND RIGHT VENTRICULAR PERFORMANCE WITH SYSTOLIC TIME INTERVALS IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS WITH NORMAL EJECTION FRACTION

In this controlled study, left (LV) and right (RV) ventricular systolic time intervals (STI) were investigated in hemodialysis patients (HDp) with normal myocardial systolic function as assessed by ec'ocardiographic indicators like ejection fraction (EF).

Echocardiographic findings in 88 HDp (M:F 47:41, mean age 35±11 years) and 73 healthy controls (M:F 31:42, mean age 36^10 years) were compared for STI parameters (prejection period (PEP), ejection time (ET) and STI index (PEP/ET)). Left ventricular PEP (114±21 ms vs. 95.4±3.6 ms, p<0.001) and STI index (0.41±0.11 vs 0.34±0.02, p<0.001) were higher in the HDp as compared to controls. There were no difference in RV STI parameters between two groups. The deteriorations of STI parameters in HDp were independent ofL V hypertrophy and hypertension.

It was concluded that while RV performance seems not to be influenced by uremia, LV STI indexes deteriorate before an overt systolic dysfunction (normal EF), and impairment of STI indexes appear to be markers of uremic cardiomyopathy, independent ofLV mass or hypertension.