Hemodynamic cardiovascular risk factors in chronic kidney disease: what are the effects of intervention?

Left ventricular (LV) volume and pressure overload occur frequently in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Anemia is a risk factor for left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and dilatation, heart failure, and death. Normalization of hemoglobin with erythropoietin may prevent LVH and dilatation in CKD, but in patients in later phases of their cardiac disease, this intervention is not of benefit. Increased vascular volume causes hypertension, which in turn causes LVH, cardiac failure, and ischemic heart disease (IHD). Manifestations of arteriosclerosis are associated with adverse cardiac outcomes, and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors may improve LVH and markers of arteriosclerosis. Aortic stenosis in dialysis patients occurs infrequently, but may deteriorate rapidly. The hemodialysis milieu is the quintessential model of LV overload cardiomyopathy.