2.4. Outcomes
hypertension, arterial stiffness
ADVERSE EFFECTS, HYPERTENSION, ARTERIAL STIFFNESS
The primary outcome was change in cfPWV over 24 weeks after randomization. We measured cfPWV using SphygmoCor XCEL Model EM4C (AtCor Medical Inc., Sydney, Australia). cfPWV was performed in the supine position after at least 15 min rest, before each patient’s HD session. The measurements were carried out at 12 and 24 weeks after randomization by a single well-trained operator throughout the study. Increased arterial stiffness was defined by cfPWV ≥ 10 m/s which was proposed in the 2018 ESH/ESC hypertension guidelines [Secondary outcomes were the proportion of patients with progression of arterial stiffness at the end of the study defined by increased cfPWV compared to baseline, change in biochemistry parameters including fasting blood sugar (FBS), hemoglobin (Hb) A1C, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, calcium, phosphate, albumin, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and lipid profile at baseline, 12, and 24 weeks after randomization and incidence of adverse effects from MK-7. All blood samples were collected for assessment under fasting conditions before the dialysis sessions.