Myocardial markers are highly altered by higher rates of fluid removal during hemodialysis

Introduction Although hemodialysis is lifesaving in patients with kidney failure extensive interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) between dialyses worsens the prognosis. We recently showed a strong correlation between IDWG and predialytic values of cardiac markers. The aim of the present study was to evaluate if the cardiac markers N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (proBNP) and troponin T were influenced by IDWG and speed of fluid removal (ultrafiltration‐rate). Methods Twenty hemodialysis patients performed in total 60 hemodialysis (three each). Predialytic values of proBNP and troponin T and changes from predialysis to 180 min hemodialysis (180–0 min) were compared with the IDWG calculated in percent of body weight. The ultrafiltration‐rate was adjusted (UF‐rateadj) to IDWG: (100 × weight gain between dialysis [kg])/(estimated body dry weight [kg] × length of hemodialysis session [hours]). Results UF‐rateadj correlated (Spearman) with (1) predialytic values of IDWG (r = 0.983, p < 0.001), proBNP (r = 0.443, p < 0.001), and troponin T (r = 0.296, p = 0.025); and (2) differences in proBNP180–0min (r = 0.572, p < 0.001) and troponin T180–0min (r = 0.400, p = 0.002). UF‐ratesadj above a breakpoint of 0.60 caused more release of proBNP180–0min (p = 0.027). Remaining variables in multiple regression analysis with ProBNP180–0min as dependent factor were predialytic proBNP (p < 0.001) and the ultrafiltration‐rate (p < 0.001). Conclusion Higher UF‐rateadj during dialysis was correlated to increased levels of cardiac markers. Data support a UF‐rateadj lower than 0.6 to limit such increase. Further studies may confirm if limited fluid intake and a lower UF‐rateadj should be recommended to prevent cardiac injury during dialysis.