Echocardiographic findings in kidney transplant patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

OBJECTIVE

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a systemic disorder with a tendency for aneurysm formation which may also affect the heart. ADPKD kidney transplant patients were studied by echocardiography.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

The case-control study consisted of 21 kidney transplant recipients and a group of 21 transplant patients with other diagnoses. They were in a stable phase a median of 3 years (range 1-10) after transplantation. M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiography were performed.

RESULTS

Age, haemoglobin and renal function were not different between the groups but ADPKD patients had significantly lower systolic blood pressure (p=0.004). There were no abnormalities in the aortic or mitral valve in either group. The diameter of the left ventricular outflow tract, the bulb or the ascending aorta did not differ between the groups. The diameters of the left ventricle or atrium were also similar. The left ventricular mass index was 132+/-36 in ADPKD patients versus 163+/-63 g/m(2) in the controls (p=0.11). The left ventricular ejection fraction was 69+/-9.0 versus 70+/-8.9%. Early and atrial filling waves were equal.

CONCLUSION

Valvular anomalies were infrequent. Aneurysm formation in the aorta and signs of dilated cardiomyopathy were not increased in patients with ADPKD.