Left Ventricular Systolic Strain in Chronic Kidney Disease and Hemodialysis Patients

<i>Background:</i> The impact of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hemodialysis on heart function is not fully understood. We aimed to investigate the influence of different stages of CKD and maintenance hemodialysis on heart function. <i>Methods: </i>One hundred fifty-three patients were categorized into 3 subgroups [56 without CKD as controls; 37 with moderate-advanced CKD, stages 3, 4 or 5, and 60 with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing maintenance hemodialysis]. Left ventricular (LV) function was assessed by conventional echocardiography and 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography with strain analysis (2D strain analysis). <i>Results:</i> There was no significant difference of gender, age and LV ejection fraction among groups. Compared with controls, global peak systolic longitudinal strain (GS_l), circumferential strain and strain rate were decreased in the CKD group. Along with the decline of renal function, GS_l deteriorated. Moreover, compared with moderate-advanced CKD patients, GS_l, circumferential strain and strain rate were better in ESRD group receiving maintenance hemodialysis. <i>Conclusions:</i> Worsening renal function was associated with a reduction of systolic function, and could be quantified by 2D strain analysis. The hemodialysis patients have better LV systolic function than the moderate-advanced CKD patients.