Comparison of arterial stiffness in end‑stage renal disease patients treated with peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis

INTRODUCTION Dialysis patients presents increased arterial stiffness. Results of available studies comparing arterial stiffness in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients vs hemodialysis (HD) patients are inconsistent.
OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to compare pulse wave velocity (PWV) in PD and HD patients and to compare value of measured PWV (PWVM) with theoretical value of this parameter (PWVT) calculated using formula developed by Blacher et al. From the equation it is apparent that PWV increases by 0.8 m/s for each decade of life.
PATIENTS AND METHODS Carotid-femoral PWVM was measured in 35 PD and 26 HD patients, using Complior device. In all patients PWVT was also calculated.
RESULTS The study groups did not differ significantly with respect to age, gender, and prevalence of diabetes. The value of PWVM (PD:12.1+/-3.3 vs HD:12.0+/-3.0 m/s) and PWVT (PD:10.0+/-1.4 vs HD:9.9+/-1.2 m/s) did not differ significantly between PD and HD. PWVM was significantly higher than PWVT in both, PD and HD patients. Diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure was higher in PD patients, but systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure did not differ significantly. In PD patients a higher number of antihypertensive medications was used (3+/-1vs2+/-1;p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS Arterial stiffness is equally high in peritoneal dialysis patients and in hemodialysis patients. Measured value of PWV in both, PD and HD patients, is significantly higher when compared with theoretical value of PWV. This finding may reflect accelerated arterial aging in patients on dialysis.