Calcium carbonate binder therapy: Impact on serum lipids in hemodialysis patients

The effectiveness of calcium carbonate versus calcium acetate and aluminum hydroxide on improving serum lipid profiles-including serum total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels-was investigated in 68 patients wi th end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis. Hemodialysis patient volunteers were divided into two groups: phosphate binder complaint or noncompliant. Binder therapy compliance was established using the Health Care Financing A dministration's guidelines. All subjects were further divided based on pres cribed phosphate binder: calcium carbonate, calcium acetate, or aluminum hy droxide. Phosphate binder therapies had no significant effects on serum tot al cholesterol, serum HDL cholesterol, and serum triglyceride concentration s. However, individuals complying with calcium carbonate binder therapy had significantly lower serum LDL cholesterol concentrations than compliant su bjects receiving calcium acetate. Individuals with renal disease on hemodia lysis are at risk for heart disease. Individuals compliant with calcium car bonate binder therapy had significantly lower serum LDL cholesterol concent rations than those compliant with calcium acetate binder therapy.