ABSTRACT
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.
