Related Experiment Videos
Carotid artery intima-medial thickness is increased in chronic renal failure
S Zoungas1, S Ristevski, P Lightfoot
1Department of Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia. sophia.zoungas@med.monash.edu.au
Insights
Patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) have significantly thicker carotid arterial intima-medial thickness (IMT), indicating accelerated atherosclerosis. This increased IMT was observed even after adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Cardiology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Chronic renal failure (CRF) is linked to accelerated atherosclerotic vascular disease.
- Carotid arterial intima-medial thickness (IMT) is a marker of atherosclerosis.
- Understanding atherosclerosis progression in CRF is crucial for patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess carotid arterial intima-medial thickness (IMT) in patients with CRF.
- To compare IMT between CRF patients and matched healthy controls.
- To investigate the relationship between IMT and risk factors in CRF.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study involving 159 CRF patients (serum creatinine > 0.40 mmol/L, age > 50) and 159 matched healthy controls.
- Carotid IMT was measured using B-mode ultrasound.
- Fasting plasma homocysteine (tHcy) was measured in the CRF group.
Main Results:
- CRF patients exhibited significantly greater mean carotid IMT (0.89±0.17 mm) compared to controls (0.73±0.13 mm) after matching.
- Heart rate and pulse pressure were significantly increased in CRF patients.
- Plasma homocysteine levels were elevated two-fold in CRF patients but did not correlate with IMT.
Conclusions:
- Patients with CRF demonstrate significantly increased carotid IMT compared to controls, independent of traditional risk factors.
- CRF is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis progression.
- Further research into mechanisms driving accelerated atherosclerosis in CRF is warranted.
Abstract:
1. Chronic renal failure (CRF) is associated with rapidly progressive atherosclerotic vascular disease. In the present study, carotid arterial intima-medial thickness (IMT) was assessed in a large cohort of patients with CRF and matched controls and related to risk factors. 2. A total of 159 subjects with CRF (serum creatinine > or =0.40 mmol/L) aged > 50 years (mean (+/-SD) 63.8+/-7.7 years) and 159 healthy controls matched for age, sex and smoking status were studied. 3. The IMT was determined using B-mode ultrasound measurements of the far wall of both common carotid arteries and presented as the mean IMT. Fasting plasma homocysteine (tHcy) was measured in the CRF group. 4. Intima-medial thickness was significantly greater in CRF patients than controls (0.89+/-0.17 vs 0.73+/-0.13 mm, respectively) after matching for age, sex and smoking status. Heart rate and pulse pressure were also significantly increased. The tHcy was increased two-fold in the CRF group (27.7+/-11.3 micromol/L; normal < 13.0 micromol/L) and did not correlate with carotid IMT. 5. Compared with controls after adjusting for traditional risk factors, patients with CRF exhibit significantly increased IMT.