Journals / Anatolian Current Medical Journal / 2026 / Volume: 8 Issue: 4

Effects of different dialysate calcium concentrations on heart rate variability and serum ionized calcium levels in maintenance hemodialysis patients

Sürekli hemodiyaliz hastalarında farklı diyalizat kalsiyum konsantrasyonlarının kalp hızı değişkenliği ve serum iyonize kalsiyum düzeyleri üzerine etkileri

Fatma Ayerden Ebinç(Department of Nephrology, Health Sciences University, Etlik City Hospital, Ankara, Turkiye)0000-0002-7893-3498
Gülay Ulusal Okyay(Department of Nephrology, Health Sciences University, Etlik City Hospital, Ankara, Turkiye)0000-0003-0770-1283
Hatice Şahin(Department of Nephrology, Etlik City Hospital, Ankara, Turkiye)0000-0002-7146-4828
Haksun Ebinç(Department of Cardiology, Kırıkkale University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkiye)0000-0001-5362-5037
Ülver Derici(Department of Nephrology, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkiye)0000-0002-9741-6779
Pages
—
Publication Date
2026-07-16
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Conclusion: A single 4-hour HD session with 1.25 mmol/L calcium dialysate was associated with an acute decline in serum iCa levels and parallel changes in HRV indices, suggesting a potential link between dialysate calcium concentration and short-term autonomic modulation in MHD patients.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Aims: Heart rate variability (HRV), a marker of cardiac autonomic function, is suppressed in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) compared with the general population.
📊
Key Findings & Data:The time domain measures of HRV were the standard deviation of all RR interval (SDNN), the mean of the standard deviation of all 5-minute RR intervals (SDNN index: SDNNI), the standard deviation of the average NN intervals over 5-minute segments (SDANN), and the square root of the mean difference between consecutive normal RR intervals (RMSSD).
💡
Conclusion & Impact:Conclusion: A single 4-hour HD session with 1.25 mmol/L calcium dialysate was associated with an acute decline in serum iCa levels and parallel changes in HRV indices, suggesting a potential link between dialysate calcium concentration and short-term autonomic modulation in MHD patients.
🔬Design:Research Article
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Hemodialysis · heart rate variability · dialysate

Abstract

Aims: Heart rate variability (HRV), a marker of cardiac autonomic function, is suppressed in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) compared with the general population. However, data on modifiable dialysis-related factors influencing HRV remain limited. This study aimed to investigate the impact of different dialysate calcium concentrations on serum ionized calcium (iCa) levels and cardiac autonomic function, assessed by HRV, in MHD patients. Methods: This prospective observational study with repeated measures included patients receiving MHD. Baseline electrocardiography and transthoracic echocardiography were performed in all participants. Twenty-four–hour ambulatory electrocardiographic recordings were obtained using Holter monitors initiated immediately before the index hemodialysis (HD) session. The time domain measures of HRV were the standard deviation of all RR interval (SDNN), the mean of the standard deviation of all 5-minute RR intervals (SDNN index: SDNNI), the standard deviation of the average NN intervals over 5-minute segments (SDANN), and the square root of the mean difference between consecutive normal RR intervals (RMSSD). Serum iCa, magnesium, and potassium levels were measured at the beginning and at the end of the index HD session. Relative changes (Δ) in biochemical parameters were calculated as [(baseline value-4th hour value)]/baseline value. All clinical, biochemical, and HRV parameters were compared between groups stratified according to 1.25 mmol/L and 1.50 mmol/L calcium dialysate concentration. Results: A single 4-hour HD session using dialysate containing 1.25 mmol/L calcium was associated with a significant reduction in serum iCa levels and a greater relative change in iCa (∆iCa) compared with 1.50 mmol/L calcium dialysate. In the 1.25 mmol/L calcium dialysate group, all time-domain HRV parameters decreased, accompanied by greater relative changes. In contrast, treatment with 1.50 mmol/L calcium dialysate was related to increases in SDNNI, SDANN, and RMSSD values. After adjustment for potential confounders, multivariable regression analysis demonstrated that ∆iCa was independently associated with ∆SDANN. Conclusion: A single 4-hour HD session with 1.25 mmol/L calcium dialysate was associated with an acute decline in serum iCa levels and parallel changes in HRV indices, suggesting a potential link between dialysate calcium concentration and short-term autonomic modulation in MHD patients.

Özet

Amaç: Kalp hızı değişkenliği (KHD) devamlı hemodiyaliz hastalarında genel populasyon ile karşılaştırıldığında azalmaktadır. Hemodiyaliz hastalarında KHD’ni etkileyen faktörlere ilişkin veriler sınırlıdır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, farklı kalsiyum konsantrasyonları içeren diyalizatların kullanıldığı tek bir hemodiyaliz seansının serum kalsiyum düzeyleri ve kardiyak otonomik fonksiyonlar üzerindeki etkilerini değerlendirmektir. Yöntemler: Bu kesitsel çalışmada, devamlı hemodiyaliz hastaları bazal elektrokardiyogramları (EKG) ve transtorasik ekokardiyografileri ile değerlendirildi. İndeks hemodiyaliz seansından hemen önce takılan holter cihazları ile 24 saatlik ambulatuar EKG kayıtları alındı. HRV'nin zaman alanı ölçümleri, tüm RR aralıklarının standart sapması (SDNN), tüm 5 dakikalık RR aralıklarının standart sapmasının ortalaması (SDNN indeksi: SDNNI), ardışık RR aralıkları arasındaki farkın standart sapması (SDANN) ve ardışık normal RR aralıkları arasındaki ortalama farkın karekökü (RMSSD) idi. İndeks hemodiyaliz seansının başında ve sonunda serum iyonize kalsiyum (iCa), magnezyum ve potasyum konsantrasyonları ölçüldü. Değişkenlik (∆) değerleri [(başlangıç değeri) - (4. saat değeri)] / başlangıç değeri formülü ile hesaplandı.Tüm parametreler, düşük ve yüksek diyalizat kalsiyum konsantrasyonuna göre sınıflandırılan gruplar arasında karşılaştırıldı (1.25 mmol/L' ye karşı 1.5 mmol/L). Bulgular: Düşük kalsiyumlu diyalizat içeren 4 saatlik tek bir hemodiyaliz seansı, iCa seviyelerinde önemli bir azalma ve yüksek iCa değişkenliği (∆iCa) ile sonuçlandı (her ikisi için p < 0.05). Ayrıca tüm zaman alanlı KHD parametrelerinde azalma ve bu parametrelerin değişkenliğinde bir artış tespit edildi. Yüksek kalsiyumlu diyalizat, SDNNI, SDANN ve RMSDD parametrelerinde artışa neden oldu. Regresyon analizi, düzeltilmiş modelde ∆iCa ve ∆SDANN arasında bir ilişki olduğunu gösterdi. 24.saatte her iki grupta da KHD parametreleri hesaplandı. Sonuç: 1.25 mmol/L kalsiyum içeren diyalizat ile 4 saatlik hemodiyaliz seansı, serum iCa konsantrasyonlarını önemli ölçüde azaltır ve iCa konsantrasyonundaki değişkenlik devamlı hemodiyaliz hastalarında kardiyak otonomik fonksiyonları akut olarak etkileyebilir.

🔖

Cite This Article

Ebinç, F. A., Okyay, G. U., Şahin, H., Ebinç, H., Derici, Ü. (2026). Effects of different dialysate calcium concentrations on heart rate variability and serum ionized calcium levels in maintenance hemodialysis patients. Anatolian Current Medical Journal, Volume: 8 Issue: 4. https://doi.org/10.38053/acmj.1824568

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (25)

  1. Himmelfarb J, Ikizler TA. Hemodialysis. N Engl J Med. 2010;363:1833-1845. doi:10.1056/NEJMra0902710
  2. Herzog CA. Sudden cardiac death and acute myocardial infarction in dialysis patients: perspectives of a cardiologist. Semin Nephrol. 2005;25:363-366. doi:10.1016/j.semnephrol.2005.05.003
  3. Herzog CA. Cardiac arrest in dialysis patients: taking a small step. Semin Dial. 2004;17(3): 184-185. doi:10.1111/j.0894-0959.2004.17318.x
  4. Rubinger D, Backenroth R, Sapoznikov D. Sympathetic nervous system function and dysfunction in chronic hemodialysis patients. Semin Dial. 2013;26(3):333-343. doi:10.1111/sdi.12093
  5. Ranpuria R, Hall M, Chan CT, Unruh M. Heart rate variability (HRV) in kidney failure: measurement and consequences of reduced HRV. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2008;23(2):444-449. doi:10.1093/ndt/gfm634
  6. Chan CT. Heart rate variability in patients with end-stage renal disease: an emerging predictive tool for sudden cardiac death? Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2008;23(10):3061-3062. doi:10.1093/ndt/gfn280
  7. Osataphan N, Wongcharoen W, Phrommintikul A, Putchagarn P, Noppakun K. Predictive value of heart rate variability on long-term mortality in end-stage kidney disease on hemodialysis. PLoS One. 2023; 18(2):e0282344. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0282344
  8. Genovesi S, Boriani G, Covic A, et al. Sudden cardiac death in dialysis patients: different causes and management strategies. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2021;36(3):396-405. doi:10.1093/ndt/gfz182
  9. Kim ED, Watt J, Tereshchenko LG, et al. Associations of serum and dialysate electrolytes with QT interval and prolongation in incident hemodialysis: the predictors of arrhythmic and cardiovascular risk in end-stage renal disease (PACE) study. BMC Nephrology. 2019;20(1):133. doi:10.1186/s12882-019-1282-5
  10. Makar MS, Pun PH. Sudden cardiac death among hemodialysis patients. Am J Kidney Dis. 2017;69(5):684-695. doi:10.1053/j.ajkd.2016.12.006
  11. Rhee CM, Chou JA, Kalantar-Zadeh K. Dialysis prescription and sudden death. Semin Nephrol. 2018;38(6):570-581. doi:10.1016/j.semnephrol. 2018.08.003
  12. Garimella PS, Malhotra R. Dialysate calcium: a lot more than ‘set it and forget it’. Kidney Med. 2019;1(5):238-241. doi:10.1016/j.xkme.2019.05.005
  13. KDIGO 2017 clinical practice guideline update for the diagnosis, evaluation, prevention, and treatment of chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD), Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) CKD-MBD Update Work Group. Kidney Int Suppl. 2017;7(3):e1. doi:10.1016/j.kisu.2017.10.001
  14. Saha H, Harmoinen A, Pietila K, Morsky P, Pasternack A. Measurement of serum ionized versus total levels of magnesium and calcium in hemodialysis patients. Clin Nephrol. 1996; 46(5):326-331.
  15. Gotch FA, Kotanko P, Thijssen S, Levin NW. The KDIGO guideline for dialysate calcium will result in an increased incidence of calcium accumulation in hemodialysis patients. Kidney Int. 2010;78(4):343-350. doi:10.1038/ki.2010.157
  16. Block GA, Raggi P, Bellasi A, Kooienga L, Spiegel DM. Mortality effect of coronary calcification and phosphate binder choice in incident hemodialysis patients. Kidney Int. 2007;71(5):438-441. doi:10.1038/sj.ki.5002059
  17. Ter Meulen KJ, Carioni P, Bellocchio F, et al. The effects of dialysate calcium prescription on mortality outcomes in incident patients on hemodialysis. Clin Kidney J. 2024;17(10):sfae288. doi:10.1093/ckj/sfae288
  18. National Kidney Foundation. K/DOQI clinical practice guidelines for bone metabolism and disease in chronic kidney disease. Am J Kidney Dis. 2003;42(4)(suppl 3):1-201.
  19. Wen TL, Chung-Kwe W, Yang IF, Yang TF. Relationship between electrolytes and heart rate variability parameters in end-stage renal failure patients before and after hemodialysis. Anadolu Kardiyol Derg. 2007;7 Suppl 1:142-144.
  20. Sipahioglu MH, Kocyigit I, Unal A, et al. Effect of serum electrolyte and bicarbonate concentration changes during hemodialysis sessions on heart rate variability. J Nephrol. 2012;25(6):1067-1074. doi:10.5301/jn.5000098.
  21. Jimenez ZNC, Silva BC, Reis LD, et al. High dialysate calcium concentration may cause more sympathetic stimulus during hemodialysis. Kidney Blood Press Res. 2016;41(6):978-985. doi:10.1159/000452601
  22. Chen SC, Huang JC, Tsai YC, et al. Heart rate variability change before and after hemodialysis is associated with overall and cardiovascular mortality in hemodialysis. Sci. Rep. 2016;6:20597. doi:10.1038/srep20597
  23. Zilch O, Vos PF, Oey PL, et al. Sympathetic hyperactivity in hemodialysis patients is reduced by short daily hemodialysis. J Hypertens. 2007;25(6): 1285-1289. doi:10.1097/HJH.0b013e3280f9df85
  24. Salman IM. Cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction in chronic kidney disease: a comprehensive review. Curr Hypertens Rep. 2015;17(8):59. doi:10.1007/s11906-015-0571-z
  25. Giordano M, Manzella D, Paolisso G, Caliendo A, Varricchio M, Giordano C. Differences in heart rate variability parameters during the post-dialytic period in type II diabetic and non-diabetic ESRD patients. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2001;16(3):566-573. doi:10.1093/ndt/16.3.566