Acute coronary syndromes in chronic hemodialysis patients: a series of 34 cases (case series)

Cardiovascular diseases, particularly acute coronary syndrome, are the leading cause of death in chronic hemodialysis patients. Our study aims to analyze the pathophysiological, clinical, angiographic, and therapeutic characteristics of coronary heart disease in hemodialysis patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This single-centered retrospective descriptive study included 34 hemodialysis patients hospitalized in the cardiovascular ICU. RESULTS: The mean age of patients in our study was 64.4±11.3 years. The main cardiovascular risk factor found in our study was age, with a prevalence of 76.50%, followed by hypertension, with a prevalence of 67.60%. Diabetes was present in 55.90% of patients. The authors also found that 17.90% of patients were obese, and 29.40% had abdominal obesity. The main cause of renal disease in our study was diabetic nephropathy (52.90% of cases), followed by hypertensive nephropathy (23.50% of cases). ST segment elevation myocardial infarction was found in 14.70% of cases, and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in 85.30% of cases. Coronary angiography was performed in 76.40% of patients. Single-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD) was found in 20%, two-vessel CAD in 50%, and three-vessel CAD in 30% of the cases. Coronary artery calcifications were observed in 21.42% of cases. 38.23% had an angioplasty, and 20.58% were referred for a coronary artery bypass graft. CONCLUSION: Despite the high mortality rate after acute coronary syndrome, hemodialysis patients are less likely to undergo diagnostic angiography or coronary revascularization. Patients on hemodialysis tend to have multiple, diffuse, calcified CAD.