Different Interdialytic Intervals and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis

Key Points This is the first study exploring differences in cardiorespiratory fitness assessed with cardiopulmonary exercise testing between the 2-day and the 3-day interdialytic interval. The 3-day interdialytic interval was associated with further impaired cardiorespiratory fitness. This effect was predominantly driven by excess fluid accumulation during the extra interdialytic day. Background Long interdialytic interval in thrice-weekly hemodialysis is associated with excess cardiovascular and all-cause mortality risk. Impaired cardiorespiratory fitness is a strong predictor of mortality in hemodialysis. This study investigated differences in cardiorespiratory fitness assessed with cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) between the end of the 2-day and the 3-day interdialytic interval. Methods A total of 28 hemodialysis patients, randomized in two different sequences of evaluation, underwent CPET and spirometry examination at the end of the 2-day and the 3-day intervals. The primary outcome was the difference in oxygen uptake at peak exercise (VO 2 peak [ml/kg per minute]) assessed with CPET. Volume status was assessed with interdialytic weight gain, lung ultrasound, bioimpedance spectroscopy, and inferior vena cava measurements. A total of 14 age-matched and sex-matched controls were also evaluated. Comparisons of changes in parameters of interest were performed with paired or independent t -tests or relevant nonparametric tests, as appropriate. Bivariate correlation analyses and generalized linear mixed models were used to examine associations between changes in CPET parameters and volume indices. Results Hemodialysis patients at the end of both 2-day and 3-day intervals presented lower values in all major CPET parameters than controls. VO 2 peak (ml/kg per minute) was significantly higher at the end of the 2-day than the 3-day interval (15.2±4.2 versus 13.6±2.8; P < 0.001); the results were similar for VO 2 peak (ml/min) (1188±257 versus 1074±224; P < 0.001) and VO 2 peak (% predicted) (58.9±9.2 versus 52.3±8.6; P < 0.001). Numerical but no statistically significant differences were detected in VO 2 anaerobic threshold (ml/kg per minute) and VO 2 anaerobic threshold (ml/min) between the two time points. Maximal work load (90.1±23.2 versus 79.3±25.1; P < 0.001), exercise duration, heart rate at peak exercise, and oxygen pulse also showed lower values at the end of the 3-day interval. Forced expiratory volume in 1-second levels were similar between the two evaluations. Generalized linear mixed model analysis, including interdialytic weight gain as random covariate, attenuated the observed differences in VO 2 peak (ml/kg per minute). Changes in bioimpedance spectroscopy–derived overhydration indexes were moderately correlated with changes of VO 2 peak (ml/kg per minute). Conclusions The 3-day interval was associated with further impairment of VO 2 at peak exercise. This effect was predominantly driven by excess fluid accumulation during the extra interdialytic day.