Noninvasive evaluation of large artery function and structure in dialysis patients: Clinical applications

Abstract

Non-invasive evaluation of large artery function and structure may improve cardiovascular risk stratification. Specific treatments in renal failure can affect arterial function/structure.For example, in peritoneal dialysis, a dialysis fluid exchange causes acute central hemodynamic effects due to the instilled volume, and in hemodialyzed patients, anemia has a flow-independent negative impact on endothelial function that can be corrected by erythopoietin administration.Arterial calcification is a common feature in renal failure. In a multicentre European study of 1084 dialysis patients abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) was scored from a plain lateral abdominal radiograph. AAC increased significantly from L1 to L4 and was related to carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), independent of age, blood pressure and