Changes in pulmonary artery systolic pressure and right ventricular function in patients with end‐stage renal disease on maintenance dialysis

AIM: Pulmonary hypertension is common in patients with end-stage renal disease, and portends a poor prognosis. There are little data in this population, and previous studies have not evaluated quantitative changes in haemodynamics over time while on maintenance dialysis. This study sought to estimate changes in pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) and right ventricular function over time, and to predict PASP change using clinical variables routinely available at time of initial measurement, in patients on maintenance dialysis. METHODS: We retrospectively studied patients with end-stage renal disease at a university-affiliated dialysis centre who had two separate echocardiograms 1-4 years apart. RESULTS: Seventy-six patients (65 haemodialysis, 11 peritoneal dialysis) were included. PASP was estimated by echocardiography. Baseline PASP was predicted by left-sided valvular disease, anaemia, COPD, left-ventricular mass index, and haemodialysis modality (P = 0.07 for modality). Average increase in PASP was 2.41 mmHg per year. Higher rates of PASP change were predicted by E/e' ratio by tissue doppler on echocardiogram, diabetes mellitus, low LV mass, and left-sided valvular heart disease (P = 0.07 for valvular disease). Patients with higher PASP had higher incidence of new-onset right ventricular dysfunction. CONCLUSION: In patients with end-stage renal disease, PASP increases over time. Changes are moderately predictable. Higher PASP predicted development of right ventricular dysfunction.