Temporal distribution of arrhythmic events in chronic kidney disease: Highest incidence in the long interdialytic period

Abstract

Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) have a high risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). A unique risk factor may be a longer interval between HD sessions (interdialytic period). Inherent in conventional HD (thrice-weekly) are two 48-hour short breaks (SIDP) and one 72-hour long break (LIDP) between HD sessions. Objective We used an implantable cardiac monitor (ICM) to define the incidence and timing of significant arrhythmias in an HD population. Methods Fifty CKD patients undergoing HD with left ventricular ejection fraction >35% had an ICM inserted, with intensive follow-up to record SCD events and predefined bradyarrhythmias and tachyarrhythmias. Resu..