Authors

• Daniela Loncar — The Public Health Institution University Clinical Center Tuzla, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina — ORCID: 0000-0003-1496-9309
• Zumreta Kusljugic — The Public Health Institution University Clinical Center Tuzla, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina — ORCID: 0000-0002-8565-776X
• Zinka Donlagic — The Public Health Institution Health Center Tuzla, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Irma Bijedic — The Public Health Institution University Clinical Center Tuzla, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Amira Bijedic — The Public Health Institution University Clinical Center Tuzla, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Esad Brkic — The Public Health Institution University Clinical Center Tuzla, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Denis Mrsic — The Public Health Institution University Clinical Center Tuzla, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Lejla Jasarevic — The Public Health Institution University Clinical Center Tuzla, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Keywords

valvular heart disease, kidney transplantation

DOI

Full Text

## Introduction Cardiovascular diseases are the greatest cause of morbidity and mortality in patients after kidney transplantation. Valvular heart disease is a common occurrence in patients on chronic dialysis. Abnormalities include valvular and annular thickening and calcification of any of the heart valves, causing regurgitation and/or stenosis. Valvular thickening or sclerosis in patients on chronic dialysis treatment most commonly affecting the aortic and mitral valve. Current knowledge of valvular heart disease in patients after kidney transplantation are scarce. ## Aim To determine the prevalence of valvular heart disease in kidney transplant patients and patients treated with hemodialysis. To determine whether there is a difference in the prevalence of valvular heart disease among kidney transplant patients and patients treated with hemodialysis. ## Patients and Methods We conducted a prospective study that included 90 patients. All patients had their history data taken, electrocardiogram, complete physical examination and echocardiography. The diffeence in frequency of the observed parameters was tested by chi-sqyare test. ## Results Patients were divided into two groups: kidney transplant patients (60 patients) and patients treated with hemodialysis (30 patients). In the group with kidney transplant patients was 42 (70%) men and 18 (30%) women. In the group with patients treated with hemodialysis was 15 (50%) men and 15 (50%) women. The average age in kidney transplant patients was 42.22 ± 1.71 years, in the group with patients treated with hemodialysis was 52.97 ± 2.98 years. The mean duration of dialisys before kidney transplant in the group with kidney transplant patients was 43.00 ± 9.19 months. The average kidney graft survival was 9,1±9,68 years. The mean duration of dialisys in the group with patients treated with hemodialysis was 87.00 ± 15.6 months. Tricuspidal regurgitation had 20 (33.33%) kidney transplant patients and 12 (40%) patients treated with hemodialysis; p value 0.1988. Mitral regurgation had 20 (33.33%) kidney transplant patients and 17 (56.67%) patients treated with hemodialysis; p value 0.0294. Aortic regurgitation had 9 (15%) kidney transplant patients and 10 (33.33%) patients treated with hemodialysis; p value 0.0435. Pulmonary valve regurgitation had 0 (0%) kidney transplant patients and 3 (10%) patients treated with hemodialysis; p value 0.0346. Mitral stenosis had 1 (1.67%) kidney transplant patients and 4 (13.33%) patients treated with hemodialysis; p value 0.0407. Aortic stenosis had 1 (1.67%) kidney transplant patients and 2 (6.67%) patients treated with hemodialysis; p value 0.2567. ## Conclusion We find statistically significant differences in the frequency of valvular heart disease between kidney transplant patients and patients treated with hemodialysis.