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Breast arterial calcification: a marker of medial vascular calcification in chronic kidney disease

Valerie Duhn1, Ellen T D'Orsi, Samuel Johnson

  • 1Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, 1639 Pierce Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.

Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology : CJASN
|January 25, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Breast arterial calcification (BAC) is a reliable indicator of medial vascular calcification in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Its prevalence significantly increases with ESKD and advanced CKD.

Area of Science:

  • Vascular Biology
  • Nephrology
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Distinguishing intimal (atherosclerotic) from medial vascular calcification is crucial in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD).
  • Previous studies have not differentiated these calcification types, leaving their prevalence and clinical significance in CKD/ESKD unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate breast arterial calcification (BAC) as a marker for medial vascular calcification.
  • To determine the prevalence and clinical significance of medial vascular calcification in CKD and ESKD using mammography.

Main Methods:

  • Histological analysis of breast tissue and visual assessment of mammograms/radiographs for arterial calcification in CKD/ESKD patients.
  • Comparison of BAC prevalence in women with ESKD versus controls matched for age, race, and diabetes.
  • Evaluation of BAC prevalence in relation to CKD stage and duration of ESKD.

Main Results:

  • Medial calcification was present in all analyzed specimens from CKD/ESKD patients; intimal calcification was absent.
  • BAC was significantly more prevalent in women with ESKD (63%) compared to controls (17%).
  • BAC prevalence increased with ESKD duration and was higher in advanced CKD stages, correlating strongly with peripheral arterial calcification (PAC).

Conclusions:

  • Breast arterial calcification (BAC) serves as a specific and valuable marker for medial vascular calcification.
  • The prevalence of medial vascular calcification, indicated by BAC, is substantially elevated in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Abstract

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