Left ventricular hypertrophy in chronic kidney disease. Is pulse pressure an independent risk factor?

BACKGROUND The study's aim was to evaluate the relations between pulse pressure (PP), hypertension and anemia with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). MATERIALS AND METHODS The risk factors and prevalence of LHV were evaluated in 111 patients with CRF. RESULTS LVH was diagnosed in 81.9% of all patients. The prevalence of hypertension was 72.6%. Anemia was present in all patients. Of the variables tested lower levels of hemoglobin, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and PP predicted the occurrence of LVH. CONCLUSIONS This study has shown a strong association between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and LVH in pre dialysis patients. Pulse pressure, SBP and anemia play an important role in the development of left ventricular hypertrophy in CKD patients.