Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) on QT dispersion in end-stage renal disease patients. Method Twenty-eight CAPD patients who initiated dialysis and completed a six months regular standard CAPD program were enrolled in this study. Pre-dialysis examinations including serum potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, BUN, creatinine, serum albumin and HCO3- were detected and standard 12-lead electrocardiogram was performed to determine the QT dispersion and corrected QT dispersion (QTcd). Echocardiographic examination was done in all patients, and the left ventricular mass index was determined by calculation. And than, all above procedure were repeated after six months dialysis. Result After a six months regular standard CAPD program, the potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, BUN and creatinine level decreased significantly; the serum calcium and HCO3- increased significantly. The left ventricular mass index and QTd also increased compared to pre-dialysis data, but there was no significant difference. But the QTcd increased significantly. A multi-correlated analysis to pre-dialysis data indicated: the gain of QT dispersion pre-dialysis was positively correlated with serum creatinine level and left ventricular mass index, but negatively correlated with serum calcium level. Another multi-correlated analysis to post-dialysis data indicated: the gain of QT dispersion post-dialysis was positively correlated with serum creatinine level and left ventricular mass index. Conclusion peritoneal dialysis may increase QT dispersion, it is strongly correlated with the gain of left ventricular mass index. This study confirm that the QT dispersion of peritoneal dialysis patients could be influenced by uremic status.

Key words: Uremia, QT dispersion, Left ventricular mass index