Abstract: 【Abstract】Aims To explore the impact of hemodialysis and hemodialysis frequency on heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with end stage renal disease.  Methods A total of 107 patients treated with regular hemodialysis were enrolled in this study. They were assigned into 3 groups according to the hemodialysis frequency: Q2d group (once every 2 days), Q3d group (once every 3 days) and Q4d group (once every 4 days). The parameters of HRV were compared between the 3 groups. Results The parameters of HRV were increase after hemodialysis in all patients (P＜0.05), especially in Q2d and Q3d groups (P＜0.01). Analysis of variance showed that there were significant differences in HRV parameters between the 3 groups before and after hemodialysis (P＜0.05). HRV tended downwards when hemodialysis frequency decreased.  Conclusions Long term and adequate hemodialysis may be useful for the improvement of heart autonomic function.

Key words: End stage of renal disease, Hemodialysis, Heart rate variability