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Nitric Oxide and Hemodialysis-Induced Hypotension
- Koji Yokokawa, MD, PhD;
- K. Anil Mandal, MD; and
- Mohammad G. Saklayen, MD
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IN RESPONSE:
Dr. Perazella has raised an important question about a possible relation between hematocrit and plasma nitric oxide levels that may affect the lowering of blood pressure by heparin.
We compared hematocrit values and plasma ferritin levels in patients who had a hypotensive episode during hemodialysis with those of patients who did not have a hypotensive episode. No significant difference was seen in hematocrit values or plasma ferritin levels (P > 0.2 for both comparisons) between the two groups, as shown by an unpaired t-test. Simple regression analysis showed no significant correlation between plasma nitric oxide levels after hemodialysis and hematocrit values (P > 0.2). Furthermore, no significant correlation was seen between hematocrit values and mean blood pressure after hemodialysis (P > 0.2), suggesting that changes in hematocrit do not contribute to the release or production of nitric oxide between the two groups.
Koji Yokokawa, MD, PhD
Osaka City University Medical School
Osaka 545, Japan
Anil K. Mandal, MD
Mohammad G. Saklayen, MD
Wright State University
Dayton, OH 45428
- Copyright ©2004 by the American College of Physicians
