Hamid Nasri
*1 Department of Nephrology, Division of Nephropathology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education
Patients with end-stage kidney failure generally have cardiovascular diseases too and cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in patients on hemodialysis. Secondary hyperparathyroidism is common in patients on hemodialysis and is defined by excessive serum parathyroid hormone level, parathyroid gland hyperplasia and an imbalance in calcium and phosphorus metabolism. In fact parathormone is a main uremic toxin, and may be responsible for long-term outcomes that include severe vascular calcifications, kidney osteodystrophy, immune dysfunction, alterations in heart structure and function, and anemia.These adverse consequences may contribute to an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity among end-stage renal failure patients.
Please cite this paper as: Nasri H. Elevated serum parathyroid hormone is a heart risk factor in hemodialysis patients. J Parathyr Dis 2013; 1(1): 13-14.