Abstract: Objective We studied the relationship between the activity of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and the changes of structure and function in left ventricle in maintenance hemodialysis patients, for the improvement of patient抯 heart function and life quality. Methods We measured plasma angiotensin II and aldosterone by radioimmunoassay in 40 hemodialysis patients and 20 normal controls, and the results were compared with the changes of ultrasound cardiography. Result ① The incidence of RAAS hyperactivity and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) was much higher in hemodialysis patients than in controls. ② In hemodialysis patients, plasma angiotensinⅡ and aldosterone were positively correlated with left ventricular mass index (LVMI), and plasma angiotensin II was positively correlated with systolic pressure. In normal controls, however, there was no correlation between RAAS activity and LVMI. ③ In hemodialysis patients, LVH was positively correlated with systolic pressure and negatively correlated with hemoglobin and hematocrit values, but LVH had no correlation with patient抯 age, gender, dialysis age and serum creatinine. ④ In the hemodialysis patients with LVH and those without LVH, values of hemoglobin and systolic pressure were significantly different, but their age, dialysis age, diastolic pressure and creatinine before dialysis showed no difference. Conclusion The incidence of LVH was significantly higher in hemodialysis patients than in controls. The prevalence of LVH in hemodialysis patients was positively correlated with RAAS activity and negatively correlated with hemoglobin value.

Key words: RAAS, Echocardiography