The Effects of Low Calcium Dialysate on Arterial Compliance and Vasoactive Substances in Patients with Hemodialysis

BACKGROUND : Considering that dialysate calcium concentration is potentially a main determinant of the serum ionized calcium level and vasoconstriction is associated with the blood calcium concentration, we conducted a study to evaluate the interdialytic effects of treatment with a low calcium dialysate (LdCa, 1.25 mmol/L) on the changes in arterial compliance (AC), blood pressure (BP), biochemical parameters and vasoactive substances. METHODS : Eight hemodialysis (HD) patients (mean age: 46.8±13.7 years, 4 men and 4 women) were included in the study. AC, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), pulse pressure (PP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), serum ionized Ca, intact-PTH, serum nitric oxide and aldosterone were compared after 10 sessions of treatment with LdCa. Right carotid artery diameter was measured 3 times using a real time B-mode ultrasound imager (Hewlett-Packard Sonos 2000(®)) and AC was calculated using the Hayoz method. RESULTS : 1) AC was recorded as 0.140 (0.080–0.170) mm(2)/kPa at the baseline (1.75 mmol/L calcium dialysate), 0.170 (0.050–0.290) mm(2)/kPa after LdCa treatment (p<0.05 versus baseline), and 0.140 (0.070–0.250) mm(2)/kPa following the HdCa treatment (p<0.05 versus LdCa data). 2) MAP and PP were calculated at 114.12±10.56 mmHg and 63.50±10.87 mmHg at the baseline; 98.37±15.14 mmHg and 56.50±5.95 mmHg after LdCa treatment (p<0.05 versus baseline); and 115.75±9.64 mmHg and 62.00±15.71 mmHg following HdCa treatment (p<0.05 versus LdCa data). 3) Serum ionized Ca and intact-PTH were measured at 4.66±0.40 mg/dL and 25.08±16.44 pg/mL at the baseline; 4.45±0.28 mg/dL and 90.71±27.03 pg/mL after LdCa treatment (p<0.05 versus baseline); and 4.65±0.43 mg/dL and 24.08±15.44 pg/mL following HdCa treatment (p<0.05 versus LdCa data). 4) Serum aldosterone concentration was 300.8 (65.5–836.1) pg/mL at the baseline, and 220.2 (42.8–527.9) pg/mL after LdCa treatment (p<0.05). CONCLUSION : There were favorable changes in AC, BP, biochemical parameters after treatment with LdCa. These changes may be associated with the reduction in serum ionized calcium and decreased serum aldosterone concentration.