Abstract: Objective To observe aortic valve calcification in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients and its effects on cordic struture and function. Methods One hundred and ten MHD patients and 100 normal controls who had no kidney disease or rheumatoid disease were enrolled. The calcification of aortic valve and aortic valve area was measured by color Doppler echocardiograms. Results Of 110 MHD patients, 48(43.6%) were found aortic valve calcification 9 aortic valve stenosis by echocardiogram. Of 100 normal controls,22(22%) aortic valve calcification and 2 stenosis. Conclusion There is a high prevalence of aortic valve calcification in MHD patients.The risk factors in MHD patients are hyperphosphatemia, secondary hyperparathyroidism and longer duration of hemedialysis.

Key words: Hemodialysis, Aortic valve calcification