Abstract: Objective To investigate the prevalence of cardiac valve calcification (CVC) and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Methods A total of 199 MHD patients treated in Hospital of Shenyang Military Area Command were randomly selected. They were 18- 75 years old without heart valve diseases, and were treated with hemodialysis 3 times/week and 4 hours/session for 6 months- 10years. Aortic valve calcification (AVC), mitral valve calcification (MVC), left atrial size (LAD), were measured by echocardiography. iPTH was determined by radioimmunoasssy. Results Patients with LVH had higher rates of CVC (c2=9.534, P=0.002) and hypoalbuminemia (t=2.814, P=0.035). Patients with CVC had higher systolic BP (t=3.012, P=0.032), older age (t=5.060, P=0.001), and higher rates of LVH (c2=9.534, P=0.002) and hypoalbuminemia (t=2.031, P=0.025). Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was negatively
associated with albumin and LVEF, and was positively associated with systolic and diastolic BP. Age, diabetes history, systolic BP, albumin were the independent risk factors for CVC. Conclusion CVC is associated with LVH in MHD patients. Control of hypertension and maintenance of an adequate nutritional status may delay the processes of LVH and CVC.

Key words: maintenance hemodialysis, cardiac valve calcification, left ventricular hypertrophy