Cardiovascular Function in a Chronic Peritoneal Dialysis Population on Recombinant Human Erythropoietin Treatment

Anemia, through a hyperkinetic state, is an important contributor to myocardial function impairment. To determine the cardiovascular effects of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) therapy, 10 chronic peritoneal dialysis (CPD)-treated anemic children were studied before and during 18 months of treatment. The following parameters were recorded: hemoglobin (Hb) [percent of target level (TL) = x-2 standard deviations of normal Hb values for age and sex], heart rate (HR, beats/minute), mean arterial pressure (MAP, mmHg), end diastolic left ventricular diameter (EDLVD, mm/sm BSA), shortening fraction (SF, percent), and interventricular septal thickness (IVS, mm/sm BSA). Student's t-test for paired data showed (vs time before treatment, TO) a progressive increase in Hb, a progressive decrease in HR, and a progressive increase in MAP. EDLVD progressively decreased, while SF and IVS remained unchanged throughout the study. Regression analysis showed a close correlation between anemia correction and decrease of HR (p<0.01), while no correlation was found between Hb and EDLVD or SF, IVS, or MAP. Our data indicate that anemia correction in these patients is mainly associated with a decrease in hyperkinetic state (HR reduction with SF unvaried), while left ventricular function and dimensions remain normal, despite an increase in MAP.