DOPPLER-ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC ASSESSMENT OF VALVULAR HEART-DISEASE IN PATIENTS REQUIRING HEMODIALYSIS FOR END-STAGE RENAL-DISEASE

Valvular heart disease accounts for considerable morbidity and some mo rtality among;patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). To determi ne the prevalence and severity of valvular and perivalvular abnormalit ies, including valvular thickening, stenosis, calcification, regurgita tion, and mitral annular calcification (MAC), and the impact of age an d duration of dialysis on valvular disease in these patients, we revie wed Doppler echocardiograms in 75 consecutive patients requiring hemod ialysis for ESRD. Our results showed that valvular sclerosis, calcific ation, and MAC were common in patients requiring hemodialysis; valvula r regurgitation was both more prevalent and more severe in hemodialysi s patients than in ''normal subjects''; and age of the patient and dur ation of dialysis were related to the prevalence of valvular disease i n ESRD. These findings suggest that Doppler echocardiography should be frequently used to assess Possible valvular heart disease in patients receiving hemodialysis for ESRD, particularly older patients, those w ho have received dialysis for several years, and those with suspected valvular disease based on history and physical examinations.