OBJECTIVES: This cross-sectional analysis from the CZecking Heart Failure in patients with advanced Chronic Kidney Disease trial (ISRCTN18275480) examined pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular-pulmonary arterial coupling in patients on chronic hemodialysis. The aims of this analysis were: 1. To analyze relations between pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular-pulmonary arterial coupling with dialysis access flow and current hydration
2. To analyze structural heart changes associated with right ventricular-pulmonary arterial uncoupling
3. To reveal the prevalence, etiology and severity of pulmonary hypertension in the Czech hemodialysis population. METHODS: We performed expert echocardiography, vascular access flow measurements, bioimpedance analysis, and laboratory testing in 336 hemodialysis patients. RESULTS: Pulmonary hypertension was present in 34% (114/336) patients and right ventricular-pulmonary arterial uncoupling was present in 25% of patients with pulmonary hypertension. Only weak associations between the flow of the dialysis arteriovenous access and estimated pulmonary arterial systolic pressure and right ventricular-pulmonary arterial coupling was proved. There was a strong association between hydration status assessed by estimated central venous pressure with pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (Rho 0.6, CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that optimizing volume status and treating heart failure should be prioritized in hemodialysis patients to prevent pulmonary hypertension progression and right ventricular-pulmonary arterial uncoupling.