Association of serum phosphorus, calcium and parathyroid hormone with cardiovascular calcification in regular hemodialysis patients

Introduction: Dialysis patients tend to have a greater prevalence of cardiovascular diseases. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of heart valve calcification, left ventricular hypertrophy, and left ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction. It also aimed to determining the relationship of the above mentioned parameters with serum calcium, phosphorus, parathormon and duration of dialysis. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 hemodialysis patients who were referred to Hajar hospital in Shahrekord, Iran. Using echocardiography, patients were examined for the calcification of the heart valves, left ventricular hypertrophy, and left ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction. Serum calcium, phosphorus, and parathormon and duration of dialysis was also determined. Results: The mean age of the patients was 58.10 ± 15.51 years. Around 24 patients suffered from calcification of the heart valves. Additionally, 85 patients suffered from left ventricular hypertrophy. The prevalence of left ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction was 26% and 86%, respectively. Common valvular abnormalities were mitral valve regurgitation (97%), followed by tricuspid regurgitation and aorta-pulmonary disorder, respectively. There was a significant relationship between serum phosphate and calcification of cardiac valves, left ventricular hypertrophy, and left ventricular systolic dysfunction (P   0.05). Conclusion: Cardiovascular diseases are common among hemodialysis patients. Hyperphosphatemia is a risk factor for the prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy, left ventricular systolic dysfunction and calcification of the heart valves.