Accelerated progression and morbidity in patients with aortic stenosis on chronic dialysis.

BACKGROUND: Progression of aortic stenosis (AS) influences the prognosis in chronic dialysis (CD) patients, but there have been few studies in Japanese patient populations. METHODS AND
RESULTS: The progression of AS was examined in 16 CD patients (68+/-10 years) and 82 non-dialysis patients (73+/-11 years). The mean follow-up was 32 and 40 months, respectively. The calcium-phosphate product was increased in CD patients (49+/-14 mg/dl vs 30+/-5 mg/dl; p<0.0001). At entry, the peak transaortic gradient detected by Doppler echocardiography was lower in CD patients (42+/-12 mmHg vs 57+/-22 mmHg; p<0.05). At follow-up, there was no difference between the 2 groups in that value (69+/-31 mmHg vs 71+/-27 mmHg). Decreasing rate of calculated aortic valvular area was increased in CD patients (0.14+/-0.13 cm2/year vs 0.06+/-0.09 cm2/year; p<0.05) and the calcification of the aortic valve was more severe at follow up in CD patients. The mortality was higher in CD patients (75 vs 28%; p<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: AS appeared to progress rapidly in CD patients and therefore early aortic valve replacement may be necessary.