Association Between New Cardiac Biomarkers and Cardiovascular Abnormalities in Asymptomatic Hemodialysis Patients

OBJECTIVE: Cardiovascular diseases are prevalent in asymptomatic chronic hemodialysis patients. New cardiac biomarkers are required for early diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases. In our study, we aimed to investigate associations of troponin-T (Tn-T), heart type fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels with clinical, echocardiographic and laboratory parameters of asymptomatic hemodialysis patients.

MATERIAL and METHODS: A total of 60 hemodialysis patients who were asymptomatic for cardiovascular diseases and 62 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects were enrolled. Demographic features were recorded, and Tn-T, H-FABP, and NT-proBNP were measured. Clinical, biochemical and echocardiographic evaluations were performed.

RESULTS: Tn-T, H-FABP, NT-proBNP levels were significantly higher in hemodialysis patients (p<0.05). There was no association between cardiac biomarkers and left ventricular hypertrophy or ejection fraction (p>0.05). However, NT-proBNP level >12914 pg/mL was associated with left ventricular hypertrophy. H-FABP was higher in the presence of pulmonary hypertension and tricuspid regurgitation (p=0.025). NT-proBNP was negatively correlated with C-reactive protein (r=-41, p<0.01) and albumin (r=-0.29, p<0.05). NT-proBNP was significantly higher in hypertensive hemodialysis patients (p=0.038).

CONCLUSION: Tn-T, H-FABP and NT-proBNP levels are higher in asymptomatic HD patients. Nonetheless, there are no strong correlations between the biomarkers and cardiac abnormalities and cut-off values for cardiac abnormalities should be determined in such these patients.