Pulmonary hypertension prevalence 37% in maintenance hemodialysis patients, meta-analysis findsHigh Rates of Pulmonary Hypertension Found in Dialysis Patients
Frontiers in MedicinePublished September 29, 2026Study authors: Hong-wei Yang, Juan Wang, Hui Ji, Lin Gui, Yan Zhao, Zhong-jian Li, Ling-mei Ruan, Bing-hua Lan, Xia…DOI ↗Editorial oversight: Dr. Amelia Tan, PhD · Internal Medicine & Chronic Disease
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Key Takeaway
Recognize high pulmonary hypertension prevalence in hemodialysis patients, but interpret associated factors cautiously.
This meta-analysis pooled data from 6,633 patients (3,930 males, 2,703 females) undergoing maintenance hemodialysis to estimate the prevalence of pulmonary hypertension and identify associated factors. The study type is a meta-analysis; the abstract does not report the number of included studies, follow-up duration, or setting.
The pooled prevalence of pulmonary hypertension was 37% (95% CI 0.32-0.42). The authors state that multiple factors were significantly associated with pulmonary hypertension, but the abstract does not list the specific factors. No effect sizes, absolute numbers, or p-values for these associations were reported in the available data.
The authors acknowledge limitations including small sample sizes in individual studies and inconsistent findings across studies. No safety data, adverse events, or tolerability information were reported. Funding sources and conflicts of interest were not reported.
The findings highlight a high prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in maintenance hemodialysis patients and suggest a need for early identification, volume management, inflammation control, and cardiac monitoring. However, because the specific associated factors are not detailed and the evidence is limited by heterogeneity and small study sizes, these results should be interpreted cautiously and do not establish causality.
How this fits prior evidence
This meta-analysis extends prior coverage of cardiovascular and renal outcomes in end-stage kidney disease, including findings that AVF ligation and kidney transplantation are associated with reduced left ventricular mass index. It also follows a systematic review of MRAs in dialysis patients showing reduced nonfatal CVD events but elevated hyperkalemia and gynecomastia risks. While those reports focused on interventions, this analysis quantifies the prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in maintenance hemodialysis patients, addressing a gap in descriptive epidemiology. The 37% pooled prevalence is consistent with a high cardiovascular burden in this population, but the absence of specific associated factors limits comparison with prior evidence.
A large review of data from over 6,600 patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis found a high prevalence of pulmonary hypertension. The study showed that about 37% of these patients had the condition. This finding is important because pulmonary hypertension is a serious heart and lung issue that often affects people with end-stage kidney disease.
While the review confirmed that several factors are linked to the development of pulmonary hypertension, the specific factors were not listed in the report. Because the individual studies included in this review were small and sometimes showed inconsistent results, the findings should be viewed as a broad overview rather than a definitive guide for every patient.
For patients and doctors, these results emphasize the importance of early identification and careful management. This includes monitoring heart health, managing fluid levels, and controlling inflammation. Patients should talk to their medical team to understand how these findings relate to their specific treatment plan.
What this means for you:
About 37% of patients on maintenance hemodialysis have pulmonary hypertension, highlighting the need for monitoring.
Common questions
How common is pulmonary hypertension in dialysis patients?
The study found that the prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis is 37%. This high rate suggests that the condition is common among people with end-stage kidney disease who require regular dialysis treatment.
What does this mean for people with kidney disease?
Because the prevalence is high, the findings suggest that it is important for patients to have early identification of the condition. This includes monitoring heart health, managing fluid volume, and controlling inflammation as part of their regular care.
Are there specific factors that cause pulmonary hypertension in these patients?
The study noted that multiple factors are significantly associated with pulmonary hypertension in these patients. However, the specific factors were not listed in the report. You should speak with your doctor to discuss the specific factors that may affect your health.
Maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) is a primary treatment for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Patients on long-term MHD frequently develop cardiovascular complications, with pulmonary hypertension (PH) prevalence reported as high as 47%. Due to small sample sizes and inconsistent findings, associated factors for PH in MHD patients remain unclear.
To evaluate the prevalence and associated factors of PH in MHD patients.
We systematically searched literature on PH risk factors in MHD patients across PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase, CNKI, CBM, Wanfang, and VIP (inception to April 20, 2026). Two reviewers independently screened and extracted data. Data were synthesized using Stata 18.0.
Thirty-nine studies comprising 6,633 subjects were included, of whom 3,930 were males and 2,703 were females. The pooled PH prevalence was 37% (95% CI: 0.32–0.42). Multiple factors were significantly associated with PH (P
The high PH prevalence in MHD patients, influenced by diverse factors, calls for enhanced clinical vigilance. Management should focus on early identification of high-risk patients, strengthened volume management, inflammation control, and cardiac monitoring. This approach is essential to lower PH risk and improve cardiovascular prognosis.
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420261378052.
