Ventricular Arrhythmias in Uremic Cardiomyopathy

This study will test the hypothesis that patients with uremic cardiomyopathy have reduced levels of SERCA2a protein compared to those with normal kidney function. We propose that such a correlation will provide convincing evidence that these patients,have a defective redistribution in intracellular calcium handling as an explanation for their increase risk in sudden cardiac death an fatal arrhythmias. To achieve our specific aims: 1) we will screen patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) going for certain vascular procedures. 2) obtain an echocardiogram on these patients including only those with isolated diastolic dysfunction or LVH. 3) Patients who has diastolic dysfunction or LVH will be assessed for underlying microvolt (TWA) 4) vessel and skin tissue on these patients will be collected for SERCA2a quantification.

Inclusion criteria

• age 18 years or older
• Patients with stage 5 CKD or ESRD and those with normal CKD will be considered as possible candidates if admitted for one of the following vascular procedures
• coronary artery bypass grafting, or vascular bypass surgery, or arteriovenous fistula creation, or arteriovenous graft surgery.
• The aforementioned patients will be included if they have LVH or diastolic dysfunction and a normal LVEF on echocardiogram within one year of their scheduled surgery.

Exclusion criteria

• Age less than 18 ;
• Pregnancy;
• Dilated cardiomyopathy;
• left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) less than or equal to 50%;
• Patients on digoxin.
• antiarrhytmic medications;
• baseline electrolyte abnormalities;
• Atrial fibrillation;
• Bundle branch block