Introduction:
The prevalence and incidence of end stage renal disease worldwide is rising markedly, becoming a global challenge.
HCV infection is a worldwide public health problem and is more prevalent in hemodialysis patients than the general population.
Cardiovascular complications are the leading cause for excess morbidity and mortality among end stage renal disease patients. Diastolic dysfunction is common in these patients due to left ventricular hypertrophy, myocardial fibrosis.
NT-ProBNP belongs to natriuretic peptides which are molecules secreted by ventricles in response to volume or pressure overload causing natriuresis, vasodilation and diuresis.
NT-ProBNP was found to be elevated in heart failure, renal failure especially patients on hemodialysis (HD).
Many studies showed that HCV patients have increased serum NT ProBNP compared to general population and this level is higher in Child-Pugh C patients compared to Child-Pugh B and A patients and that diastolic dysfunction is more common in those patients.
Aim of the work:
The aim of this work was to study the level of NT-ProBNP in HCV patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) and its correlation with diastolic dysfunction and Child-Pugh classification.