Left ventricular hypertrophy and blood pressure control in automated and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients

Associations between central pulse pressure, microvascular endothelial function, and fluid overload in peritoneal dialysis patients

BACKGROUND

Microcirculatory endothelial dysfunction is a complex phenomenon that contributes to the development of cardiovascular disease. However, the relationship between microcirculatory endothelial dysfunction and macrovascular disease remains incompletely understood. Fluid overload is a risk factor for cardiovascular mortality in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. Therefore, we investigated the effects of chronic fluid overload on both the microcirculation and macrocirculation in these patients.

METHODS

Thirty patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis were included in this cross-sectional study. We measured their central blood pressure and pulse wave velocity, assessed their microvascular endothelial function using drug-induced iontophoresis with laser Doppler flowmetry, and determined the amount of fluid overload using bioimpedance. We conducted a Spearman correlation analysis, univariate analysis, and stepwise multivariate regression models to determine the associations among the hemodynamic parameters.

RESULTS

Acetylcholine-induced iontophoresis with laser Doppler flowmetry showed a correlation with both brachial and central pulse pressure (PP), but not with pulse wave velocity. Fluid overload was associated with both central and brachial PP and remained an independent predictor of central PP even after adjusting for multiple factors. However, fluid overload was not associated with microcirculatory endothelial function.

CONCLUSION

In peritoneal dialysis patients, we observed a significant association between central PP and microvascular endothelial function, indicating a connection between macrocirculation and microcirculation. However, conclusive evidence regarding fluid overload as a mediator between these circulatory systems is lacking. Further research is needed to investigate this relationship.

Cardiovascular Effects of Home Dialysis Therapies: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with end-stage kidney disease. Currently, thrice-weekly in-center hemodialysis for 3 to 5 hours per session is the most common therapy worldwide for patients with treated kidney failure. Outcomes with thrice-weekly in-center hemodialysis are poor. Emerging evidence supports the overarching hypothesis that a more physiological approach to administering dialysis therapy, including in the home through home hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, may lead to improvement in several cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular outcomes compared with thrice-weekly in-center hemodialysis. The Advancing American Kidney Health Initiative, which has a goal of increasing the use of home dialysis, is aligned with the American Heart Association's 2024 mission to champion a full and healthy life and health equity. We conclude that incorporation of interdisciplinary care models to increase the use of home dialysis therapies in an equitable manner will contribute to the ultimate goal of improving outcomes for patients with kidney failure and cardiovascular disease.

Prognostic values of left ventricular mass index progression in incident peritoneal dialysis patients : a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is common among patients undergoing dialysis. However, the dynamic structural changes of LV are rarely discussed. The study aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of left ventricular mass index (LVMI)-progression in incident peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, and explore risks factors for LVMI-progression.

METHODS

Incident PD patients between February 2008 and July 2018 were recruited. Echocardiography was performed yearly to collect LVMI and evaluate its changes. Participants were divided into three subgroups: group with LVMI-regression, group with LVMI stable and group with LVMI-progression. The end points include all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality and cardiovascular events. Cox regression models were performed to identify the associations between LVMI-progression and these endpoints. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to identify risk factors for LVMI-progression.

RESULTS

A total of 216 PD patients (130 men,60.2%) with a mean age of 54.3 ± 16.8 years were recruited. LVMI-progression was identified in 72 patients (33.3%) after PD initiation. The cohort was followed for a median duration of 65.9 months. Multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that LVMI-progression was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality (HR, 1.419; 95% CI, 1.016-1.982; p = 0.040), cardiovascular mortality (HR, 1.836; 95%CI, 1.084-3.108; p = 0.024), and cardiovascular events (HR, 1.494; 95%CI, 1.063-2.099; p = 0.021). Multivariable logistic regression showed that hemoglobin, ferritin, blood pressure and fibrinogen were significantly associated with LVMI-progression.

CONCLUSION

Early LVMI-progression was independently associated with all-cause mortality and cardiovascular outcomes in PD patients. The dynamic monitoring of LVMI might therefore help identify high-risk patients.

The utility of remote patient management in peritoneal dialysis

Remote patient management (RPM) programs are one of the most crucial innovations in the peritoneal dialysis (PD) field that have been developed in the last decade. RPM programs are associated with favourable clinical outcomes by increasing the adherence of the patients to PD prescription. The literature supports that RPM is associated with increased blood pressure control and technique survival, and decreased hospitalization rate, length of hospital stay and health costs. RPM programs also facilitate patient follow-up during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, increase treatment adherence and lead to better clinical outcomes. However, published data remain scarce and mainly consist of observational or retrospective studies with relatively low numbers of patients. Therefore, randomized controlled trial results will be more informative to demonstrate the effect of RPM programs on clinical outcomes.

Peritoneal Dialysis Guidelines 2019 Part 1 (Position paper of the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy)

Approximately 10 years have passed since the Peritoneal Dialysis Guidelines were formulated in 2009. Much evidence has been reported during the succeeding years, which were not taken into consideration in the previous guidelines, e.g., the next peritoneal dialysis PD trial of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) in Japan, the significance of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), the effects of icodextrin solution, new developments in peritoneal pathology, and a new international recommendation on a proposal for exit-site management. It is essential to incorporate these new developments into the new clinical practice guidelines. Meanwhile, the process of creating such guidelines has changed dramatically worldwide and differs from the process of creating what were “clinical practice guides.” For this revision, we not only conducted systematic reviews using global standard methods but also decided to adopt a two-part structure to create a reference tool, which could be used widely by the society’s members attending a variety of patients. Through a working group consensus, it was decided that Part 1 would present conventional descriptions and Part 2 would pose clinical questions (CQs) in a systematic review format. Thus, Part 1 vastly covers PD that would satisfy the requirements of the members of the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy (JSDT). This article is the duplicated publication from the Japanese version of the guidelines and has been reproduced with permission from the JSDT.

A comparative analysis of ambulatory BP profile and arterial stiffness between CAPD and APD

Prior studies have associated automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) with less effective volume and blood pressure (BP) control as compared with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Our study aimed to compare the volume status, ambulatory BP profile and severity of arterial stiffness between patients treated with CAPD versus APD. In a case-control design, 28 CAPD patients were matched in 1:1 ratio with 28 controls receiving APD for age, gender and diabetic status. Body composition was assessed with the method of bioimpendence spectroscopy. Twenty-four hours ambulatory BP monitoring with the Mobil-O-Graph device (IEM, Germany) was performed to determine peripheral and central hemodynamic parameters, heart rate-adjusted augmentation index (AIx75) and pulse wave velocity (PWV). Standardized office BP, antihypertensive medication use and extracellular-to-total body water ratio did not differ between CAPD and APD groups. Twenty-four hours brachial systolic BP (129.0 ± 17.3 vs. 128.1 ± 14.2 mmHg, P = 0.83) and 24-h aortic systolic BP (116.9 ± 16.4 vs. 116.4 ± 11.6 mmHg, P = 0.87) were similar in patients treated with CAPD versus APD. Similarly, there was no significant difference between PD modalities in severity of arterial stiffness, as assessed with 24-h AIx75 (24.8 ± 8.9 vs. 22.5 ± 9.1, P = 0.36) and 24-h PWV (9.1 ± 2.4 vs. 8.8 ± 2.1 m/s, P = 0.61). The present study suggests that there is no difference in peripheral and central hemodynamic parameters as well as in the severity of arterial stiffness between CAPD and APD. However, these observations should be interpreted within the context of clinical characteristics of patients included in this case-control study. The comparative effectiveness of these 2 PD modalities warrants further investigation in larger longitudinal studies.

Automated Remote Monitoring for Peritoneal Dialysis and Its Impact on Blood Pressure

Introduction: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) provides a safe, home-based continuous renal replacement therapy for patients. The adherence of the patients to the prescribed dialysis fluids cannot always be monitored by physicians. Remote monitoring automated peritoneal dialysis (RM-APD) can affect patients’ compliance with treatment and, thus, clinical outcomes. Objective: We aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients with a remote access program. Methods: This was an observational study. We analyzed the effect of RM-APD on treatment adherence, dialysis adequacy, and change in blood pressure control, sleep quality, and health-related quality of life during the 6 months of follow-up. Results: A total of 15 patients were enrolled in this study. It was found that there was a significant decrease (99 ± 19 vs. 89 ± 11 mm Hg) in mean arterial blood pressure of patients, and a considerable increase in Kt/V was observed in the sixth month after the RM-APD switch (2.11 ± 0.4 vs. 2.25 ± 0.5). A significant increase was found when comparing the 3-month and 6-month ultrafiltration amounts before RM-APD and the ultrafiltration amount within 6 months after RM-APD (800 mL [500–1,000] and 752 mL [490–986] vs. 824 mL [537–1,183]). The daily antihypertensive pill need (4 [0–7] vs. 2 [0–6]) and alarms received from the device decreased (from 4 [3–8] to 2 [0–3]) at the sixth month of the switch. There was no significant change in sleep quality and health-related quality of life within 6 months. Conclusion: This study showed that treatment adherence and ultrafiltration amounts of patients increased with the use of RM-APD, as well as better blood pressure control with fewer antihypertensive drugs.

[Office and 44-hour ambulatory blood pressure and central haemodynamic parameters in the patients with end-stage renal diseases undergoing haemodialysis]

AIM

To assess the incidence of blood pressure (BP) control and various phenotypes of BP by comparing the results of office and 44-hour ambulatory brachial and central BP measurement in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on program hemodialysis (HD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In 68 patients ESRD receiving renal replacement therapy we evaluated office peridialysis BP and performed 44-hour ambu latory monitoring (ABPM) of brachial and central BP during peridialysis period using a validated oscillometric device BPLabVasotens (OOO "Petr Telegin"). Results were considered statistically significant with p<0.05.

RESULTS

The frequency of control of peripheral office BP before the HD session was 25%, after - 23.5%; control of central BP - 48.6% and 49%, respectively. According to office measurement the frequency of systolic-diastolic hypertension was 44.1%, isolated systolic hypertension - 25%, isolated diastolic hypertension - 5.9%. The values of peripheral and central office systolic BP (SBP) before and after HD were not consistent with the corresponding mean and daily SBP levels for 44 hours and for the first and second days of the interdialysis period. The frequency of true uncontrolled arterial hypertension (AH) according to peripheral ABPM was 66.5%, masked uncontrolled AH - 9%. Circadian rhythm abnormalities for 44-h peripheral BP were detected in 77%, for central - in 76%. In 97% of patients agreement between phenotypes of the daily profile of peripheral and central BP was observed. 73% of patients had a significant increase in peripheral and central SBP and pulse pressure (PP) and an increase in the proportion of non-dippers from the 1st to the 2nd day.

CONCLUSION

Patients with ESRD on HD were characterized by poor control of BP control and predominance of unfavourable peripheral and central ambulatory BP phenotypes. A single measurement of clinical peripheral and central BP in the peridialysis period was not sufficient to assess the control of hypertension in this population. The 24-h BP profiles in the 1st and 2nd days of interdialysis period had significant differences.

Assessment and Management of Hypertension among Patients on Peritoneal Dialysis

Approximately 7%-10% of patients with ESKD worldwide undergo peritoneal dialysis (PD) as kidney replacement therapy. The continuous nature of this dialytic modality and the absence of acute shifts in pressure and volume parameters is an important differentiation between PD and in-center hemodialysis. However, the burden of hypertension and prognostic association of BP with mortality follow comparable patterns in both modalities. Although management of hypertension uses similar therapeutic principles, long-term preservation of residual diuresis and longevity of peritoneal membrane function require particular attention in the prescription of the appropriate dialysis regimen among those on PD. Dietary sodium restriction, appropriate use of icodextrin, and limited exposure of peritoneal membrane to bioincompatible solutions, as well as adaptation of the PD regimen to the peritoneal transport characteristics, are first-line therapeutic strategies to achieve adequate volume control with a potential long-term benefit on technique survival. Antihypertensive drug therapy is a second-line therapeutic approach, used when BP remains unresponsive to the above volume management strategies. In this article, we review the available evidence on epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of hypertension among patients on PD and discuss similarities and differences between PD and in-center hemodialysis. We conclude with a call for randomized trials aiming to elucidate several areas of uncertainty in management of hypertension in the PD population.

Hypertension in patients on dialysis: diagnosis, mechanisms, and management

Hypertension (blood pressure > 140/90 mm Hg) is very common in patients undergoing regular dialysis, with a prevalence of 70-80%, and only the minority has adequate blood pressure (BP) control. In contrast to the unclear association of predialytic BP recordings with cardiovascular mortality, prospective studies showed that interdialytic BP, recorded as home BP or by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in hemodialysis patients, associates more closely with mortality and cardiovascular events. Although BP is measured frequently in the dialysis treatment environment, aspects related to the measurement technique traditionally employed may be unsatisfactory. Several other tools are now available and being used in clinical trials and in clinical practice to evaluate and treat elevated BP in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. While we wait for the ongoing review of the CKD Blood Pressure KIDGO guidelines, there is no guideline for the dialysis population addressing this important issue. Thus, the objective of this review is to provide a critical analysis of the information available on the epidemiology, pathogenic mechanisms, and the main pillars involved in the management of blood pressure in stage 5-D CKD, based on current knowledge.

Patient-Centered Approach for Hypertension Management in End-Stage Kidney Disease: Art or Science?

Hypertension is present in most patients with end-stage kidney disease initiating dialysis and management of hypertension is a routine but challenging task in everyday dialysis care. End-stage kidney disease patients are uniquely heterogeneous individuals with significant variations in demographic characteristics, functional capacity, and presence of concomitant comorbid conditions and their severity. Therefore, these patients require personalized approaches in addressing not only hypertension but related illnesses, while also accounting for overall prognosis and projected longevity. There are only limited clinical trial data to guide individualized blood pressure management and current guidelines are based predominantly on observational evidence and expert opinions. Inthis review, we reflect on the shortcomings of peridialytic blood pressure recordings and discuss an important paradigm shift toward using out-of-dialysis blood pressure for evaluating hypertension control and for making treatment decisions. In addition, we provide our personal view on blood pressure goals and summarize nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic treatment options for individualized management of hypertension in end-stage kidney disease.

Hypertension in dialysis patients: a consensus document by the European Renal and Cardiovascular Medicine (EURECA-m) working group of the European Renal Association - European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ERA-EDTA) and the Hypertension and the Kidney working group of the European Society of Hypertension (ESH)

In patients with end-stage renal disease treated with hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, hypertension is very common and often poorly controlled. Blood pressure (BP) recordings obtained before or after hemodialysis display a J-shaped or U-shaped association with cardiovascular events and survival, but this most likely reflects the low accuracy of these measurements and the peculiar hemodynamic setting related with dialysis treatment. Elevated BP by home or ambulatory BP monitoring is clearly associated with shorter survival. Sodium and volume excess is the prominent mechanism of hypertension in dialysis patients, but other pathways, such as arterial stiffness, activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone and sympathetic nervous systems, endothelial dysfunction, sleep apnea and the use of erythropoietin-stimulating agents may also be involved. Nonpharmacologic interventions targeting sodium and volume excess are fundamental for hypertension control in this population. If BP remains elevated after appropriate treatment of sodium-volume excess, the use of antihypertensive agents is necessary. Drug treatment in the dialysis population should take into consideration the patient's comorbidities and specific characteristics of each agent, such as dialysability. This document is an overview of the diagnosis, epidemiology, pathogenesis and treatment of hypertension in patients on dialysis, aiming to offer the renal physician practical recommendations based on current knowledge and expert opinion and to highlight areas for future research.

Hypertension in dialysis patients: a consensus document by the European Renal and Cardiovascular Medicine (EURECA-m) working group of the European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ERA-EDTA) and the Hypertension and the Kidney working group of the European Society of Hypertension (ESH)

In patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) treated with haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, hypertension is common and often poorly controlled. Blood pressure (BP) recordings obtained before or after haemodialysis display a J- or U-shaped association with cardiovascular events and survival, but this most likely reflects the low accuracy of these measurements and the peculiar haemodynamic setting related to dialysis treatment. Elevated BP detected by home or ambulatory BP monitoring is clearly associated with shorter survival. Sodium and volume excess is the prominent mechanism of hypertension in dialysis patients, but other pathways, such as arterial stiffness, activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone and sympathetic nervous systems, endothelial dysfunction, sleep apnoea and the use of erythropoietin-stimulating agents may also be involved. Non-pharmacologic interventions targeting sodium and volume excess are fundamental for hypertension control in this population. If BP remains elevated after appropriate treatment of sodium and volume excess, the use of antihypertensive agents is necessary. Drug treatment in the dialysis population should take into consideration the patient's comorbidities and specific characteristics of each agent, such as dialysability. This document is an overview of the diagnosis, epidemiology, pathogenesis and treatment of hypertension in patients on dialysis, aiming to offer the renal physician practical recommendations based on current knowledge and expert opinion and to highlight areas for future research.

The influence of low calcium dialysate on left ventricular diastolic function in peritoneal dialysis patients

Left ventricular (LV) diastolic function was found to be a significant predictor of cardiovascular events and general mortality in dialysis. Studies have indicated that dialysate calcium concentrations were significantly associated with cardiac function. However, the relationship between low calcium dialysate and LV diastolic function has not been clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of low calcium dialysate on cardiac function in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. A total of 60 PD patients were enrolled in this study, with a calcium content of the PD solution of 1.25 mmol/L in 30 patients (low-calcium group) and 1.75 mmol/L in 30 patients (standard-calcium group). Standard M-mode and two-dimensional ultrasound measurements were applied to detect the cardiac function. After 12-month follow-up, we found no significant difference in blood pressure, calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone (PTH), etc., between the two groups. Residual renal function (RRF), which is associated with LV cardiac function, was significantly decreased in the standard-calcium group compared with the low-calcium group (5.64 ± 3.23 vs. 9.38 ± 3.17, p = .001). Compared with the low-calcium group, E_max (peak early diastolic velocity) and A_max (peak late diastolic velocity) were significantly decreased (p < .05), whereas myocardial performance index (MPI) was obviously increased in standard-calcium group (9.69 ± 2.71 vs. 7.75 ± 0.93, p < .05). In conclusion, our data suggest that low calcium dialysate treatment is significantly associated with better LV diastolic function.

Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Chronic Kidney Disease: Ready for Prime Time?

Hypertension is common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is the most important modifiable risk factor for CKD progression and adverse cardiovascular events in these patients. Diagnosis and successful management of hypertension are critically dependent on accurate blood pressure (BP) measurement. This is most relevant to CKD patients, in whom BP control is difficult to achieve and in whom early antihypertensive treatment is imperative to prevent kidney and cardiovascular complications. Accumulated data indicate that ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is better in detecting hypertension than office BP measurement. ABPM is also a superior prognostic marker compared with office BP and has successfully identified hypertensive CKD patients at increased risk. Additionally, ABPM provides information on circadian BP variation and short-term BP variability, which is associated with cardiovascular and renal outcomes. This paper reviews the evidence for the usefulness of ABPM in detection and management of hypertension in CKD patients and discusses our current understanding of the pathophysiology of altered circadian BP rhythm and variability in CKD and the role of abnormal BP patterns detected by ABPM in relation to outcomes in CKD. In addition, this Review examines the emerging role of antihypertensive chronotherapy to tailor BP management to the circadian BP pattern abnormality detected by 24-hour ABPM.

Mean arterial pressure values calculated using seven different methods and their associations with target organ deterioration in a single-center study of 1878 individuals

To assess the differences among seven different methods for the calculation of mean arterial pressure (MAP) and to identify the formula that provides MAP values that are more closely associated with target organ deterioration as expressed by the carotid cross-sectional area (CSA), carotid-to-femoral pulse-wave velocity (cf-PWV) and left ventricular mass (LVM). The study population consisted of 1878 subjects who underwent noninvasive cardiovascular risk assessment. Blood pressure (BP) was assessed in all subjects, and MAP was calculated by direct oscillometry and six different formulas. Carotid artery ultrasound imaging was performed in 1628 subjects. The CSA of the right and left common carotid artery (CCA) were calculated and used as surrogates of arterial wall mass and hypertrophy. Aortic stiffness was evaluated in 1763 subjects by measuring the cf-PWV. Finally, 218 subjects underwent echocardiographic examination for the assessment of LVM. Among the examined methods of MAP calculation, the formula MAP1=[diastolic BP]+0.412 × [pulse pressure] yielded the strongest correlations with the LVM, cf-PWV and CSA of the right and left CCA, even after adjusting for age and gender. The MAP calculation using the 0.412 was superior compared with the traditional formula that uses the 0.33 for the discrimination of subjects with left ventricular and carotid wall hypertrophy, as well as subjects with increased aortic stiffness. MAP estimated with the 0.412 is better correlated with target organ deterioration compared with other formulas. Future studies are needed to explore the accuracy of these formulas for MAP estimation compared with direct intra-arterial BP measurement.

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.