Echocardiographic evaluation in children treated with CAPD.

The aim of this study was to evaluate systolic and diastolic cardiac functions in children treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). This study included a total of 21 patients (12 boys, 9 girls), aged 23 months to 14 years (average age: 10.1 +/- 4.32 years). The mean duration on CAPD was 12.88 +/- 6.69 months (range: 2-22 months). Twenty age- and sex-matched healthy subjects served as controls. Evaluation was made at the beginning of CAPD treatment in these 21 patients. Tests were repeated in 9 of 21 patients who had completed a 1-year follow-up period. We measured systolic functions [ejection fraction (EF), and fractional shortening (FS)], and diastolic functions [early (E) and late (A) diastolic peak inflow velocities, and E/A ratio, as well as early diastolic flow deceleration velocity (EF slope) and time (dt) functions] using two-dimensional, M-mode, color Doppler echocardiography. Interventricular septum thickness was also recorded. Blood pressure (BP) levels were monitored serially in all patients. Statistical evaluation was made using Student's t-test. Compared with control subjects, systolic and diastolic parameters were significantly inversely affected in patients on CAPD (P < 0.05). The mean BP levels did not differ significantly between CAPD patients and controls. In 9 patients with a second measurement on CAPD, systolic and diastolic cardiac functions tended to have deteriorated. However, these changes were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). In conclusion, CAPD is the preferable option in children with end-stage renal disease to maintain stable cardiac functions. However, systolic and diastolic dysfunctions tend to progress in children on CAPD.