Hospitalization rate and outcomes in patients with left ventricular dysfunction receiving hemodialysis

Introduction: Left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) is characterized as left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) below half of the systolic capacity of the left ventricle. Patients on hemodialysis have higher risk of developing LVD than the general population. Our aim was to assess hospitalization rate and outcomes in hemodialysis patients with LVD. Patients and methods: All patients ≥18 years old, who started hemodialysis therapy at King Abdulaziz University Hospital between January 2011 and December 2011, were identified using medical records of hemodialysis unit. Patients were then divided into three groups, according to their EF results prior to the initiation of hemodialysis, as patients with EF 50%. Patients with EF 50% (P=0.002). Diabetes mellitus and hypertension were more prevalent in patients with EF 50% (P 50% (P=0.002). However, Kaplan-Meier analysis showed no significant difference in the survival time among the three groups (P=0.845). Conclusion: Mortality and morbidity increased in patients with LVD on hemodialysis compared with patients with normal EF.