Longer dialysis sessions improve cardiac systolic function by reducing myocardial stunning.

We read with great interest the study by Smyth B, et al.,1 which performed a sub-analysis in 95 participants from the ACTIVE Dialysis trial, who had cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and showed that extended dialysis (median 24 h/week) was associated with reduction in LV mass index (LVMI) and improved ejection fraction (EF), but similar LV end-diastolic volume (EDV) compared with standard dialysis (median 12 h/week) over a 12-month follow-up period. Studies using cardiac MRI in hemodialysis patients are scarce, in part because this method is less widely used in daily practice compared with echocardiography.
Source: Journal of Cardiac Failure - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research