Hemodialysis-induced left ventricular dysfunction is associated with an increase in ventricular arrhythmias

Conventional hemodialysis results in intradialytic cardiac ischemia in a significant proportion of patients. Segmental myocardial ischemia results in the development of left ventricular regional wall motion abnormalities. Sudden death is the most common cause of mortality in hemodialysis patients. This study looked to examine any association between the development of left ventricular regional wall motion and cardiac arrhythmias. Forty established hemodialysis patients had 24-hour Holter recordings, which commenced immediately before a dialysis session. Frequency of isolated ectopy was classified as a percentage of the total beats on the Holter monitor record. Ventricular arrhythmias were stratified according to the Lown classification. Classes 3 and above were taken as complex ventricular arrhythmias. Patients also underwent baseline and intradialytic echocardiography to assess the development of concurrent regional wall motion abnormalities. Premature ventricular complexes and complex ventricular arrhythmias were both more common during hemodialysis than in the subsequent monitored period. Patients who developed regional wall motion abnormalities (n = 27) had significantly more premature ventricular complexes during hemodialysis than afterward (p < 0.001). Patients with ischemic heart disease and left ventricular hypertrophy both had a higher frequency of premature ventricular complexes during hemodialysis than those without (p < 0.03 and p < 0.02, respectively). Cardiac arrhythmias are common in hemodialysis patients. The frequency of premature ventricular complexes is significantly higher during hemodialysis in patients who develop regional wall motion abnormalities and may be related to factors associated with demand ischemia.