Comparison of cardiovascular mortality in hemodialysis versus peritoneal dialysis

Purpose Cardiovascular disease is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in dialysis patients. With the increasing prevalence of dialysis patients, there is a need to systematically identify the epidemiology of cardiovascular disease in hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients. Methods A meta-analysis was conducted in reference to the MOOSE and PRISMA guidelines. Database searches were conducted on Medline and Embase on 17 March 2020. Meta-analysis of proportions was used to summarize the overall prevalence of events. Pairwise comparisons were used to compare between hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, and meta-regression was applied to identify the factors influencing disease. Results A total of 28 studies were included in the review and prevalence of cardiovascular disease events including coronary artery disease, coronary artery complications, congestive heart failure, peripheral arterial disease, atrial fibrillation, and cardiovascular mortality were summarized. Atrial fibrillation (RR 1.287 CI 1.154-1.436, p < 0.001), congestive heart failure (RR 1.229 CI 1.074-1.407, p = 0.003), and peripheral arterial disease (RR 1.132 CI 1.021-1.255, p = 0.019) were more common in hemodialysis patients, but cardiovascular mortality was lower in hemodialysis relative to peritoneal dialysis patients. (RR 0.892 CI 0.828-0.960, p = 0.002). Conclusion The authors have found fewer cardiovascular events but higher cardiovascular mortality in patients on PD as compared to those on HD. Future research is required to establish the causality between dialysis modality and the cardiovascular outcomes described.