Relationship between aortic valve sclerosis and left ventricular hypertrophy in chronic haemodialysis patients

Background Cardiac valve calcification is a frequent finding in chronic haemodialysis patients. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a significant predictor of cardiovascular mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease. We evaluated the influence of aortic valve sclerosis (AVS) on the development of LVH in chronic haemodialysis patients. Methods A total of 82 consecutive patients (52 male, mean age 48 ± 12 years) undergoing chronic haemodialysis treatment for >1 year were subjected to echocardiography for the screening of AVS and the assessment of transaortic flow velocity and the left ventricular mass index (LVMI). The absence (group 1, n = 42) and presence of AVS (group 2, n = 40) was established. The average values of systolic, diastolic and pulse pressure were obtained. Plasma calcium, phosphorus, intact parathyroid hormone, C-reactive protein, haemoglobin and lipid levels were also measured. Results LVH was detected in 59 (72%) of the study patients. The LVMI was higher in the AVS group (171 ± 39 vs. 132 ± 41 g/m 2 , p