The effect of hemodialysis on left ventricular global longitudinal strain in chronic hemodialysis patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction

Abstract

Objectives: In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the acute effects of hemodialysis (HD) on left ventricular functions with left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS). Patients and methods: This prospective study included a total of 38 patients (24 males, 14 females; mean age: 60.8±13.8 years; range, 31 to 82 years) who were on chronic HD for at least six months and had a LV ejection fraction of ≥50% between December 2021 and January 2022. The clinical and echocardiographic features of the patients were recorded before and after HD. The GLS was calculated using two-dimensional speckle-tracking method. Results: The mean dialysis time of the patients was 6.3±3.9 years. The left atrial volume index was significantly lower after HD than before (30.1±10.0 vs. 27.5±8.2 mL/m2, p=0.005). Pulsed Doppler echocardiography showed significantly decreased E and A wave peak velocity after HD (99.3±38.2 vs. 80.4±27.8 cm/s, p=0.001 and 99.4±23.2 vs. 90.4±25.5 cm/s, p=0.022), but no significant change in the E/A ratio (1.1±0.5 vs. 1±0.6, p=0.660). There was no significant change on the LV GLS between before and after HD (-17.3±2.6 vs. -16.9±2.6%, p=0.088). Conclusion: Hemodialysis has no significant effect on LV GLS in the acute phase in patients with end-stage chronic renal disease.