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Published on: June 2, 2022
Severe mitral annular calcification predicts chronic kidney disease.
Ammar Jesri1, Leonard E Braitman, Gregg S Pressman
1Department of Medicine, St. Francis Medical Center and Seton Hall University, Trenton, NJ, United States.
Severe mitral annular calcification (MAC) in cardiology patients may indicate underlying kidney dysfunction. This finding suggests MAC could serve as a marker for chronic kidney disease, particularly in those without kidney failure.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Nephrology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is prevalent in elderly individuals and shares risk factors with atherosclerosis.
- MAC is frequently observed in patients undergoing dialysis.
- The study investigates MAC as a potential indicator of renal dysfunction in cardiology patients without kidney failure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if severe mitral annular calcification (MAC) is associated with impaired kidney function in general cardiology patients.
- To explore the relationship between the severity of MAC and the degree of renal dysfunction.
Main Methods:
- Echocardiogram reports were searched to identify patients with severe MAC.
- Patients were categorized into subgroups based on the extent of calcification and mitral leaflet mobility.
- A control group with minimal or no intracardiac calcification was included for comparison.
Main Results:
- Patients with MAC exhibited significantly worse renal function (creatinine and glomerular filtration rate) compared to controls.
- Nearly 60% of MAC patients met criteria for chronic kidney disease (GFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m²).
- A trend suggested declining GFR with increasing severity of MAC, with significantly lower GFR in the "MAC restricted" subgroup.
Conclusions:
- Severe MAC identified via echocardiography is strongly associated with chronic kidney disease.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the graded relationship between MAC severity and renal dysfunction.
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