THE INCIDENCE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF INCREASED BACKSCATTER IN MYOCARDIALULTRASONOGRAPHY OF PATIENTS ON HEMODIALYSIS

Ultrasonic backscatter is substantially modified by pathologic changes in myocardium. To define the incidence and significance of increased backscatter in myocardial ultrasonography of patients on chronic hemod ialysis, 41 patients (aged 9-63 years) and 20 healthy controls were st udied with conventional two-dimensional and M-mode echocardiography an d with analysis of integrated backscatter. Increased histogram values were found in all patients especially in those whose two-dimensional e chocardiographic examinations revealed mitral annular calcification (n = 3), aortic valve calcification (n = 2) and aortic plus mitral annul ar calcification (n = 1). It was concluded that ultrasonographic-integ rated backscatter may be a useful method for early identification of c ardiac calcification in uremic patients.