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Published on: June 16, 2014

Differential associations of renal function with coronary and peripheral atherosclerosis

Kimon S Stamatelopoulos1, John P Lekakis, Paraskevi Tseke

  • 1Department of Clinical Therapeutics, University of Athens, Alexandra Hospital, Athens, Greece. stamatelopoulosk@yahoo.gr

International Journal of Cardiology
|July 1, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Renal dysfunction predicts coronary artery disease (CAD) severity, even without severe kidney impairment. However, it shows weaker links to peripheral atherosclerosis, suggesting different impacts on heart and vessel disease.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Nephrology
  • Atherosclerosis Research

Background:

  • Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of mortality.
  • The relationship between renal dysfunction and atherosclerosis requires further investigation, particularly in non-severe kidney impairment.
  • Understanding these links can improve risk stratification and patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between renal function and both coronary and peripheral atherosclerosis in patients with CAD.
  • To determine if renal dysfunction predicts the presence and severity of CAD.
  • To explore differential impacts of renal dysfunction on coronary versus peripheral atherosclerosis.

Main Methods:

  • 187 patients undergoing coronary angiography were assessed.
  • Carotid and femoral intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaque presence measured peripheral atherosclerosis.
  • Coronary artery disease (CAD) severity was quantified using the Gensini score.
  • Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) assessed renal function.

Main Results:

  • eGFR independently correlated with CAD presence and severity, offering value beyond IMT.
  • Renal function showed a significant, though not independent, correlation with carotid IMT.
  • No significant correlations were found between eGFR and femoral IMT or plaque presence.

Conclusions:

  • Renal function is a significant predictor of angiographic CAD severity in patients without severe renal impairment.
  • Renal dysfunction's incremental predictive value for CAD surpasses traditional risk factors and IMT.
  • Differential associations suggest distinct mechanisms for renal dysfunction's impact on coronary and peripheral atherosclerosis.
Abstract

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