Dialysis patients are only half as likely to receive standard treatment for a myocardial infarction as other patients despite higher risk for death

Despite a higher risk of death after a myocardial infarction, dialysis patients are only half as likely to receive standard treatment as patients from the general population, according to a presentation at the annual meeting of the American Society of Nephrology.

“The difference between the treatment of dialysis and non-dialysis patients appears to be based primarily on their status as dialysis patients,” said lead author David Charytan, MD. “Physicians seem to be more reluctant to prescribe invasive but potentially life-saving therapies for dialysis patients than for their other patients.”

The study involved more than 150,000 patients who were admitted with an acute myocardial infarction in 2001 and examined whether dialysis patients received less aggressive care for their heart disease than non-dialysis patients. Findings showed that dialysis patients were approximately half as likely to have their coronary arteries studied or to undergo a revascularization procedure.

“In light of these findings, doctors should evaluate their practices and consider more frequent use of angiography, bypass surgery, and other coronary interventions in dialysis patients,” commented Charytan.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among patients on dialysis with kidney failure or end stage renal disease on dialysis. Cardiovascular damage begins as soon as the kidney loses function and increases in severity with progression of kidney disease.

 





DOLについて - 利用規約 -  会員規約 -  著作権 - サイトポリシー - 免責条項 - お問い合わせ
Copyright 2000-2025 by HESCO International, Ltd.