Role of coronary artery calcification score on the decrease in GFR among subjects with CT coronary angiography.

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Nephrology
• Radiology

Background:

• Elevated coronary artery calcification score (CACS) correlates with cardiovascular mortality and reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR).
• The impact of CACS on renal disease progression remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between CACS and the rate of GFR decline in patients without dialysis.
• To determine if CACS predicts worsening kidney function over time.

Main Methods:

• Evaluated estimated GFR changes in 279 non-dialysis outpatients over a mean follow-up of 13.1 months.
• Coronary computed tomographic angiography was used to assess CACS.
• Statistical analysis adjusted for age, gender, baseline GFR, albumin, and proteinuria.

Main Results:

• Patients with CACS > 200 AU showed a lower final GFR and a higher annual GFR reduction rate compared to those with CACS ≤ 200 AU.
• High CACS independently associated with an increased annual GFR reduction rate (r = -0.142, P = .048) after adjustments.
• No significant difference in baseline GFR was observed between the two CACS groups.

Conclusions:

• CACS is associated with an annual decrease in GFR.
• Elevated CACS may serve as a predictor for accelerated GFR decline in patients requiring coronary computed tomographic angiography.