Cardiac death biggest risk for dialysis patients

Results showed that patients with high levels of either hsCRP or IL-6 were twice as likely to die from SCD as those with low levels of these proteins. Low albumin levels were associated with a 1.35 times increase in the risk of dying of SCD when compared with high levels, according to Parekh. In addition, those with low levels of albumin and high levels of hsCRP were four times more likely to die of SCD than those with high levels and albumin and low levels of hsCRP.

"These results tell us that ESRD patients with low albumin and/or high levels of IL-6 and hsCRP are at a significantly higher risk of SCD," Parekh said.

The half-million people in the United States with ESRD are 10 to 100 times more likely than the general public to die from cardiovascular disease, depending on age, according to Parekh. They have an annual mortality rate of over 20 percent, and one-fifth of these deaths are attributed to SCD.

Systemic inflammatory response is common with ESRD patients and occurs when the body responds to an infectious or noninfectious attack. Parekh said those with kidney failure are quite ill, and the chance of infection and chronic inflammation is higher. Malnutrition is also common with ESRD patients from the stress of kidney failure, loss of appetite and a highly restricted diet. Compounding the issue, she said, is that Medicare does not cover oral nutritional supplements.

"When people think of heart attacks, they think of cholesterol and obesity," Parekh added, "but these are risk factors for hardening of the arteries and are not directly linked to sudden heart death among patients on dialysis."