Risk factors for the occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

In order to evaluate the risk factors for the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias (VA) in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), we studied 47 patients by echocardiography, dipyridamole-thallium tests, and biochemical profile. We observed that the group with VA had a greater cardiac mass index dependent only on an increased left ventricular internal diameter. Septum and posterior wall thickness, as well as biochemical variables, were not associated with the presence of VA in CAPD patients. In addition, altered myocardial perfusion was not associated with VA in these patients.