LEFT-VENTRICULAR FUNCTION IN UREMIA - ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC ASSESSMENT IN PATIENTS ON MAINTENANCE DIALYSIS

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 15  (5) , 259-263
Abstract
Echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular function was performed in 22 unselected patients on stable, chronic maintenance dialysis. The statistically significant abnormalities were enlargement of the left ventricular cavity (end-diastolic internal dimension or diameter 5.4 .+-. 0.2 cm, normal 4.4 .+-. 0.3 cm), thickening of the left ventricular wall (end-diastolic thickness 1.1 .+-. 0.05 cm, normal 0.9 .+-. 0.03 cm) and a reduction in myocardial contraction (fractional shortening 28.2 .+-. 2.0%, normal 35.7 .+-. 0.9%). Myocardial impairment could not be attributed to the effects of hypertension or to ischemic heart disease. There was a significant negative correlation between fractional shortening and total plasma catecholamines (r = -0.45, P < 0.05) suggesting that excessive catecholamines may contribute to the decreased myocardial contraction seen in uremic patients.