Effect of Sodium Thiosulfate on Arterial Stiffness in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients Undergoing Chronic Hemodialysis (Sodium Thiosulfate-Hemodialysis Study): A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND

Arterial stiffness (AS) and vascular calcification are significantly related to a high cardiovascular mortality risk in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Intravenous sodium thiosulfate (IV STS) can prevent and delay the vascular calcification progression in uremic states; however, the STS effect on AS has not been assessed. This study aimed to evaluate the STS efficacy on vascular calcification and AS in HD patients.

METHODS

Fifty HD patients with abnormal AS, as measured via the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI ≥8), were prospectively randomized to open-label 12.5 g IV STS during the last HD hour twice weekly for 6 months (n = 24) or the usual care (control group; n = 26). Patients and treating physicians were not blinded. The CAVI, coronary artery calcification (CAC) score, hemodynamics, and biochemical parameters were measured at the baseline and at 3 and 6 months.

RESULTS

All the baseline parameters were comparable. The IV STS significantly reduced the CAVI when compared to the control group (mean CAVI difference = -0.53; 95% CI -1.00 to -0.06; p = 0.03). A significant CAVI improvement was seen in those patients without diabetes mellitus. The natural logarithm of the CAC volume score was significantly increased in the control group. The high sensitivity C-reactive protein level was slightly lowered in the IV STS group (not significant).

CONCLUSION

The intradialytic STS treatment significantly reduced the AS, as measured by the CAVI, and stabilized the vascular calcification in the HD patients. STS may be a novel therapeutic strategy for delaying and treating the structural and functional vascular wall abnormalities in HD patients.