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Associations between vascular calcification, arterial stiffness and bone mineral density in chronic hemodialysis

Akiko Aoki1, Fumiko Kojima, Keiko Uchida

  • 1Department of Medicine, Kidney Center, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan.

Geriatrics & Gerontology International
|August 26, 2009
PubMed

Insights

In chronic hemodialysis patients, vascular calcification is linked to arterial stiffness. Bone mineral density (BMD) inversely correlates with aortic calcification, indicating BMD measurement aids in assessing renal bone disease.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Cardiology
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients exhibit high rates of vascular calcification and arterial stiffness.
  • These conditions are associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in HD populations.
  • The relationship between vascular calcification, arterial stiffness, and bone mineral density (BMD) in HD patients requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the associations between vascular calcification, arterial stiffness, and BMD in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis.
  • To explore potential clinical markers for assessing bone disease in HD patients.

Main Methods:

  • Eighty-three chronic hemodialysis patients were included in the study.
  • Aortic calcification index (ACI) was determined using computed tomography (CT).
  • Arterial stiffness was assessed via pulse wave velocity (PWV), and BMD was estimated using digital image processing (DIP).

Main Results:

  • ACI positively correlated with age, dialysis vintage, pulse pressure, C-reactive protein (CRP), and PWV.
  • PWV showed a positive association with systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure.
  • A significant inverse correlation was found between ACI and BMD (r = -0.234, P = 0.0331).

Conclusions:

  • Vascular calcification and arterial stiffness are closely interrelated in hemodialysis patients.
  • BMD is inversely correlated with aortic calcification, suggesting DIP measurement of BMD is a valuable tool for assessing renal bone disease in HD patients.
Abstract

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