Blood pressure measurements and carotid intima media thickness in hemodialysis patients

Ther Apher Dial. 2009 Aug;13(4):288-93. doi: 10.1111/j.1744-9987.2009.00726.x.

Abstract

In hemodialysis (HD) patients, routine dialysis center blood pressure (BP) measurements may be a poor indicator of BP control. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) improves the predictability of BP as a risk factor for target organ damage. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) is an important indicator of asymptomatic atherosclerosis and a predictor of cardiovascular events. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the possible association between different BP measurements and carotid IMT in HD patients. Eighty-five HD patients were included in our study. BP was measured with a standard mercury sphygmomanometer before and after each HD session. The average one-monthly values of routine BP measurements were also analyzed. 24- and 48-h ABPM was performed after the end of each HD session using non-invasive ABPM. The average values of systolic and diastolic BP were analyzed separately for the first (HD) and second (interdialytic) days ABPM, and for both days together. Using B-mode ultrasonography, carotid IMT was measured and plaque occurrence investigated. We found a statistically significant correlation between carotid IMT and the average one-monthly pre-HD diastolic BP (P < 0.05), diastolic BP on the HD-day ABPM, the interdialytic-day ABPM, and during 48-h ABPM (P < 0.05). By multiple regression analysis, we found a statistically significant correlation only between carotid IMT and diastolic BP on the HD-day ABPM, the interdialytic-day ABPM, and during 48-h ABPM (P < 0.05). Only longer BP measurements (24- and 48-h ABPM) were associated with carotid IMT in HD patients.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory / methods
  • Blood Pressure*
  • Carotid Arteries / diagnostic imaging
  • Carotid Arteries / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / diagnosis*
  • Hypertension / etiology
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / complications
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / therapy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Regression Analysis
  • Renal Dialysis*
  • Risk Factors
  • Time Factors
  • Tunica Intima / diagnostic imaging
  • Tunica Intima / pathology
  • Tunica Media / diagnostic imaging
  • Tunica Media / pathology
  • Ultrasonography
  • Young Adult