Predictors of left ventricular hypertrophy and their cutoffs in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Cardiovascular complications are the main cause of morbidity and mortality in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a major predictor of the development of cardiovascular events. This study aimed to identify risk factors that contribute to the development of LVH and to determine their cutoffs in patients on maintenance peritoneal dialysis.In this cross sectional study we evaluated the association of 23 variables including age, PD vintage, ultrafiltration, urine volume, residual renal function, mean daily SBP, mean daily DBP, fasting glucose, HbA1c, peritoneal glucose load index (PGLI), fluid overload (FO), plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), plasma hsCRP and IL-6, serum albumin, white blood cell (WBC) count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, triglycerides, LDL-C (low density lipoprotein cholesterol), HDL-C (high density lipoprotein cholesterol), and PTH with LVH in 38 stable patients on maintenance PD ≥ 24 months.LVH was detected in 57.9% of patients. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis revealed that HbA1c, PGLI, FO, plasma BNP, hsCRP and IL-6 seem to be possible predictors of LVH. The cutoffs associated with the presence of LVH were: 7.5%, 3.2 g/kg/day, 1.7 L, 330 pg/mL, 7.5 mg/dL and 3.3 pg/mL for HbA1c, PGLI, FO, plasma BNP, hsCRP and IL-6, respectively (sensitivity 72.8 to 81.8% and specificity 75.0 to 93.8%).The results suggest that efforts should be made to reduce the peritoneal glucose load (PGL), to improve the hydration status, and to attenuate the inflammatory process in order to reduce the risk of the development of LVH among PD patients.

The impact of the peritoneal glucose load index on hydration status and inflammation in peritoneal dialysis patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of the peritoneal glucose load (PGL) on hydration status and inflammation in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study evaluated stable PD patients using a novel PGL index (PGLI), which was calculated as the net glucose content (g) in the PD solutions administered in the daily PD prescription divided by the dry body weight (kg) assessed by whole-body bioimpedance spectroscopy. The relationship between PGLI and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), fluid overload (FO), and inflammatory markers was investigated. RESULTS: A total of 43 stable PD patients participated in the study. Significant positive correlations were found between PGLI and HbA1c, FO, plasma high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels. HbA1c, FO, plasma hsCRP and plasma IL-6 levels were significantly higher in patients with PGLI >3 g/kg/day compared with those with PGLI ≤3 g/kg/day. CONCLUSIONS: PGLI values >3 g/kg/day may be associated with poor glycaemic control, over hydration and augmented inflammation. PGLI might be a useful tool for the quantitative assessment of the PGL and could be applied when managing PD patients.

The impact of glucose load on left ventricular mass in peritoneal dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular (CV) complications are the main cause of morbidity and mortality in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a well-known major CV risk factor. AIM: To evaluate the impact of peritoneal glucose load on left ventricular mass (LVM) in PD patients. METHODS: In this cross sectional study the glucose load and LVM were evaluated in 43 stable patients on maintenance PD for 24 - 78 months. Glucose load was calculated using a unique peritoneal glucose load index (PGLI) referred to g/kg/day glucose given in the daily PD prescription. LVM index (LVMI) was calculated using the Devereux et al. formula. RESULTS: The PGLI was positively correlated with HbA1c and LVMI (p < 0.001). Patients with PGLI > 3 g/kg/day had higher HbA1c and LVMI compared to those with PGLI ≤ 3 g/kg/day (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Higher PGLI values were associated with worse glycemic control and increased LVMI. Efforts should be made to minimize the PGL. All other risk factors that may contribute to the development of LVH in PD patients should be identified and treated. Additional multicenter, randomized control trials are needed to determine the target objectives of PGLI.