The Prevalence of Pulmonary Hypertension and the Related Factors in Hemodialysis Patients

Background and Pulmonary hypertension (PH) has been reported in hemodialysis patients, but there are scant studies about its prevalence and mechanisms. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in hemodialysis patients and to study some of its possible etiologic factors. Ïn this cross-sectional study, the prevalence of pulmonary hypertension was determined by Doppler echocardiogram in 100 patients on hemodialysis via arteriovenous fistula at least for 6 months. Âll the patients underwent a thorough clinical evaluation. The laboratory findings including mean of three-month hemoglobin and serum level of calcium, phosphorus, albumin, alkaline phosphatase, parathormone (PTH), triglyceride and cholesterol were all recorded. Pulmonary hypertension was defined as systolic pulmonary artery pressure higher than 35 mmHg. Pulmonary hypertension was detected in 44 patients (44%) with a mean systolic pulmonary artery pressure of 52.09±7.33 mmHg. No significant differences were found between those with and without pulmonary hypertension with regard to age, gender, duration of hemodialysis and all the biological parameters.Çonclusion: This study demonstrates a high prevalence of pulmonary hypertension among patients receiving chronic hemodialysis via arteriovenous fistula.