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Calcification of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Imaging of Aortic Calcification and Inflammation
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Mitral annular calcification is associated with reduced left ventricular function and inflammation in patients with

Anupama K Rao1, Arjang Djamali, Claudia E Korcarz

  • 1University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Section of Nephrology, Madison, Wisconsin 53792, USA.

Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography : Official Publication of the American Society of Echocardiography
|January 12, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Mitral annular calcification (MAC) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients is linked to inflammation and reduced heart function, not just atherosclerosis. This finding is independent of dialysis status.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Nephrology
  • Biomarkers

Background:

  • Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is common in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients.
  • The link between CKD, MAC, and cardiovascular risk is unclear, potentially due to shared risk factors like atherosclerosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between MAC and cardiovascular risk factors in CKD patients.
  • To determine if atherosclerotic burden explains the increased cardiovascular risk in CKD patients with MAC.

Main Methods:

  • Transthoracic echocardiography was used in CKD patients evaluated for kidney transplantation.
  • Measurements included fasting lipids, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), parathyroid hormone, calcium, and creatinine.

Main Results:

  • Patients with MAC (31/99) showed higher carotid intima-media thickness, lower left ventricular ejection fraction, and elevated hs-CRP.
  • MAC was independently predicted by higher hs-CRP, lower ejection fraction, and not being on dialysis.
  • Atherosclerosis markers did not significantly alter these associations.

Conclusions:

  • In CKD patients, MAC is associated with inflammation and impaired left ventricular function.
  • These associations are independent of subclinical atherosclerosis.
  • Dialysis treatment is also independently associated with MAC.
Abstract

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