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Vascular calcification and atherosclerosis in hemodialysis patients: what can we learn from the routine clinical

Saso Gelev1, Goce Spasovski, Sonja Dzikova

  • 1Department of Nephrology, University Clinical Center, Vodnjanska 17, 1000 Skopje, Republic of Macedonia.

International Urology and Nephrology
|June 28, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Hemodialysis patients frequently develop arterial calcifications, increasing their risk of cardiovascular and other complications. Early screening for arterial calcification in chronic kidney disease patients is recommended.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Hemodialysis (HD) patients exhibit a heightened risk for arterial intimal calcification (AIC) and medial calcification (AMC).
  • Arterial calcification is a significant comorbidity in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the prevalence of arterial intimal calcification (AIC) and medial calcification (AMC) in hemodialysis (HD) patients.
  • To assess the association between arterial calcifications and atherosclerotic lesions in the common carotid arteries (CCA).

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 153 HD patients.
  • Plain radiography of the pelvis was used to assess AIC and AMC.
  • High-resolution B-mode ultrasonography of the CCA was employed to detect atherosclerotic plaques.

Main Results:

  • A high prevalence of AIC (35.3%) and AMC (35.9%) was observed in HD patients.
  • Patients with AIC showed a significantly higher prevalence of CCA atherosclerotic plaques (78.6%) and a greater burden of atherosclerotic complications.
  • No significant differences in HD-specific risk factors or bone metabolism markers were found between calcified and non-calcified groups, though the non-calcified group had a higher proportion meeting K/DOQI guidelines.

Conclusions:

  • Arterial calcifications (AIC and AMC) are common in the hemodialysis population.
  • Screening for arterial calcifications is advised for chronic kidney disease patients, including those in pre-dialysis stages.
  • Adherence to K/DOQI guidelines for bone and mineral metabolism is crucial for preventing arterial calcifications in HD patients.
Abstract

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