Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
08:50

Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

Published on: June 16, 2014

The differential association of kidney dysfunction with small and large arterial elasticity: the multiethnic study of

Carmen A Peralta1, Ronit Katz, Magdalena Madero

  • 1General Internal Medicine Section 111A1, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA 94124, USA. carmenalicia.peralta@ucsf.edu

American Journal of Epidemiology
|January 10, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Early kidney dysfunction is linked to reduced arterial elasticity, particularly in smaller arteries. This vascular remodeling may connect chronic kidney disease to cardiovascular disease, impacting overall arterial health.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Nephrology
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Vascular remodeling is a potential mechanism linking chronic kidney disease (CKD) to cardiovascular disease (CVD).
  • The association between early kidney dysfunction and arterial remodeling in small and large arteries remains incompletely understood.
  • Arterial elasticity and distensibility are crucial indicators of vascular health and CVD risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between markers of kidney dysfunction (cystatin C, creatinine-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), albuminuria) and arterial elasticity (small and large arterial elasticity, aortic distensibility).
  • To determine if early kidney dysfunction is associated with arterial remodeling in a large, multiethnic cohort.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized multivariable linear regression analysis on data from 6,282 participants in the Multiethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) cohort.
  • Assessed the association of cystatin C, creatinine-based eGFR, and albuminuria with small arterial elasticity (SAE), large arterial elasticity (LAE), and aortic distensibility.
  • Back-transformed beta-coefficients to relative differences for interpretation.

Main Results:

  • Higher quintiles of cystatin C were incrementally associated with significantly lower SAE.
  • Chronic kidney disease (eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m²) identified by creatinine was associated with lower SAE.
  • Albuminuria was also significantly associated with reduced SAE.
  • Cystatin C showed a modest association with lower LAE only at the highest quintile; creatinine-based CKD was not independently associated with LAE.
  • No significant associations were found between kidney function markers and aortic distensibility.

Conclusions:

  • Early kidney dysfunction, indicated by elevated cystatin C, reduced eGFR, and albuminuria, is significantly associated with decreased arterial elasticity in smaller arteries.
  • A lesser degree of association was observed for larger arteries.
  • These findings highlight the impact of early kidney dysfunction on vascular health, potentially contributing to the CKD-CVD link.

More Related Videos

Multilevel Microdissection and Functional-Structural Profiling of Human Renal Arterial Branches06:51

Multilevel Microdissection and Functional-Structural Profiling of Human Renal Arterial Branches

Published on: September 5, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation01:21

Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation

Clinical manifestationsPeripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) manifests through a range of symptoms, from the characteristic intermittent claudication to atypical presentations and severe complications in advanced stages. Intermittent claudication, a hallmark symptom of PAD, presents as exercise-induced muscle pain that typically resolves within minutes of rest. This pain is reproducible and stems from inadequate blood flow, leading to the accumulation of lactic acid produced during anaerobic...
Arteries and Arterioles01:16

Arteries and Arterioles

Arteries, the vasculature responsible for transporting blood from the heart, possess robust walls capable of enduring the elevated pressures exerted by the heartbeat. Arteries near the heart are especially thick-walled and enriched with elastic fibers across their three tunics, classifying them as elastic or conducting arteries. These arteries, usually with a diameter exceeding 10 mm, are characterized by their ability to dilate in response to the blood pumped from the heart's ventricles and...
Drug Dosing in Renal Diseases: Estimation of Glomerular Filtration Rate Based on Serum Creatinine Concentration01:28

Drug Dosing in Renal Diseases: Estimation of Glomerular Filtration Rate Based on Serum Creatinine Concentration

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) can be estimated from serum creatinine using the modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) formula or the chronic kidney disease–epidemiology collaboration (CKD–EPI) equation. Both methods are widely used in clinical practice to assess kidney function and guide treatment decisions.The MDRD equation does not require weight or height measurements and is normalized to the body surface area of 1.73 m², considered the average adult surface area. This equation is...
Diabetic Nephropathy01:28

Diabetic Nephropathy

Definition Diabetic nephropathy is a chronic kidney complication that results from prolonged hyperglycemia.Prevalence It is the most common cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) worldwide, affecting up to half of individuals with diabetes.Pathophysiology • Sustained hyperglycemia triggers multiple hemodynamic and metabolic changes in the kidney. • Early in the disease, increased renal blood flow and glomerular hyperfiltration occur due to afferent arteriolar...
Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests01:27

Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests

Atherosclerosis is a progressive disorder that leads to the thickening and narrowing of arterial walls due to plaque buildup. This condition can cause various symptoms depending on the arteries affected:Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): This condition affects the coronary arteries and may lead to chest pain (angina), shortness of breath (dyspnea), heart attacks, and other heart disease symptoms.Cerebrovascular Disease: This affects blood flow to the brain, causing transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)...