[Osteoprotegerin and fibroblast growth factor 23 in the development of cardiovascular events in chronic kidney disease].

AIM: To study the role of the bone mineral metabolic mediators osteoprotegerin (OPG) and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) in the mechanisms of cardiovascular events (CVEs) in chronic kidney disease (CKD). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Sixty-eight patients (30 men and 38 women) aged 38 to 64 years (mean age 49 +/- 6.3 years) with Stages III-VD CKD were examined. The stages of CKD were determined in accordance with the NKF-K/DOQI guidelines; glomerular filtration rate was calculated using the CKD-EPI formula. Serum OPG and FGF-23 were examined in all the patients, by applying commercial enzyme immunoassay kits. Doppler echocardiography was performed to evaluate the morphofunctional state of the left ventricle (LV). RESULTS: As renal failure progressed from Stage III to Stage VD CKD, the examined patients had higher serum OPG and FGF-23 concentrations. The levels of OPG and FGF-23 and the morphofunctional indicators of LV lesion, blood pressure, and anemia showed a strong direct correlation that preserved its significance in analyzing the factors in question in relation to the function of the kidneys and the pattern of cardiovascular system lesion. CONCLUSION: The morphogenetic proteins OPG and FGF-23 seem to play a significant role not only in bone remodeling processes, but also in the development of CVEs in CKD.

[Diastolic dysfunction in different types of left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with end-stage renal failure: impact of long-term erythropoietin therapy].

AIM: To study the specific features of diastolic dysfunction (DD) in different types of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (LVH) in patients with end-stage renal failure (ESRF) and to estimate the cardioprotective effect of erythropoietin. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 107 patients (57 women and 50 men) aged 22 to 63 years with ESRF were examined. The follow-up was 18 months. LV ejection fraction, peak early diastolic filling rate, peak late diastolic filling rate, their ratio, LV isovolumic relaxation time, LV end-diastolic diameter, LV end-diastolic volume, LV end-diastolic diameter index (EDDI), LV posterior wall and ventricular septal thickness, and LV mass index were determined. J. Gottdiener's classification based on the calculation of EDDI and LV relative wall thickness was used to estimate LV geometry. Erythropoietin was given to patients with the baseline level of hemoglobin (Hb) < 110 g/l or hematocrit (Ht) < 33%; and iron (III) hydroxide sucrose complex was used to those with ferritin < 100 microg/l or transferrin saturation < 20%. The target level of blood pressure was 130/80 mm Hg; Hb was less than 110 g/l for women and 120 g/l for men; Ht, > 33%. RESULTS: The patients with ESRF were found to have different types of DD and LVH, the severity of which correlated with the magnitude of renal anemia and arterial hypertension (AH). Adequate correction of anemia and AH promoted the transition of more to less severe DD and LVH and in a number of cases the recovery of LV structure and function. CONCLUSION: ESRF is characterized by different types of DD, which are pathogenetically closely related to different types of LVH. Adequate correction of renal anemia and AH may cause a significant reduction and, in a number of cases, alleviate VLH, and normalize LV systolic and diastolic functional values.

[Left ventricular hypertrophy in end-stage renal disease and its possible regression as a result of correction of anemia and arterial hypertension].

AIM: To ascertain mechanisms of development of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and possible cardioprotective action of anemia correction in patients with end-stage renal disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 98 patients (53 females and 45 males aged 49.4 +/- 14 years) on hemodialysis participated in the study. The patients were examined clinically with estimation of the levels of parathormone, calcium, phosphorus, erythrocytic indices, serum ferritin, blood transferrin. Echocardiography with dopplerography on Aloka-4000 unit were made. Left ventricular geometry was assessed by J. Gottdiener classification. Therapeutic policy aimed at correction of anemia, arterial hypertension, phosphorus-calcium metabolism. RESULTS: The patients were treated and followed up for 18 months. The examination was done before treatment, 12 and 18 months later. After the trial the patients were divided into 4 groups depending on the results obtained on LVH development. Blood pressure, hemoglobin, echocardiographic parameters changed according to the patient's group. After 18 months of observation and treatment with erythropoietin and iron preparations, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, beta-adrenoblockers, drugs regulating phosphorus-calcium metabolism some cases were seen of reduction of systolic blood pressure, achievement of target hemoglobin level, regression of LVH. CONCLUSION: Combined treatment of hemodialysis patients including antianemic, antihypertensive drugs promoted improvement of LVH or its regression in some cases.