Background The aim of this study was to investigate the relations of left ventricular (LV) mass and geometry to LV function in patients with predialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD), by real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography (RT3-DE). Methods Echocardiography was performed on 76 consecutively enrolled patients (51 men) with different stages of CKD, including 26 patients with mild CKD (CKD stages 1-2) and 50 patients with moderate-to-severe CKD (CKD stages 3-5). LV mass and LV end-diastolic volume were measured by RT3-DE. Results Greater prevalence of LV diastolic dysfunction and higher mitral E/myocardial velocities in early diastole (Em) values were noted in patients with moderate-to-severe CKD. In the moderate-to-severe CKD group, patients with increased LV mass had lower myocardial velocities in peak systole (Sm) and longer isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT). In the mild CKD group, patients with increased LV mass to volume ratios had lower Em. Moderate-to-severe CKD was associated with lower Sm and Em and higher mitral rapid filling to Em (E/Em) ratios by LV mass quartile stratification. Using LV mass/volume quartile stratification, moderate-to-severe CKD was associated with longer IVRT, lower Sm and higher mitral E/Em. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that CKD severity was the most independent predictor of elevated LV filling pressure (odds ratio = 2.96, p=0.019). Conclusions Increased LV mass impaired LV contraction and relaxation in patients with moderate-to-severe CKD. Concentric remodeling impaired LV diastolic function in patients with mild CKD. CKD severity was positively associated with elevated LV filling pressure.
