Abstract
Abstract Background: Many patients with end stage kidney disease (ESKD)
have valvular heart disease requiring surgery. The optimal prosthetic
valve is not established in this population. We performed a systematic
review and meta-analysis assessing outcomes of patients with
dialysis-dependent ESKD who received mechanical or bioprosthetic valves.
Methods: We searched Cochrane CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE from
inception to January 2020. We performed screening, full-text assessment,
risk of bias, and data-collection independently and in duplicate. We
evaluated risk of bias using the ROBINS-I tool and certainty in evidence
with GRADE. Data were pooled using a random-effects model. Results: We
identified 28 observational studies (n=9857; 6680 mechanical and 3717
bioprosthetic) with a median follow-up of 3.45 years. Due to
confounding, 22 studies were at “high” and one at “critical” risk of
bias. Certainty in evidence for all outcomes, except for bleeding, was
very-low. Mechanical valves were associated with reduced mortality at 30
days (RR0.79, 95%CI[0.65,0.97], I2=0, absolute effect 27 fewer
deaths per 1000) and at ≥ 6 years (mean 9.7 years, RR0.83,
95%CI[0.72,0.96], I2=79%, absolute effect 145 fewer deaths per
1000), but increased bleeding (RR2.46, 95%CI[1.35,4.48], I2=69%
absolute effect 113 more events per 1000) and stroke (RR1.53,
95%CI[1.13,2.07], I2=0%, absolute effect 21 more events per 1000).
Conclusion: Mechanical valves are associated with reduced mortality, but
increased risks of bleeding and stroke. Given very-low certainty for
mortality and stroke, patients and clinicians may choose a prosthetic
valve based on factors such as bleeding risk and valve longevity.