The value of serum FGF-23 as a cardiovascular marker in HD patients

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Cardiology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) is a key regulator of phosphate and mineral metabolism.
• Elevated FGF-23 levels are associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression and mortality in dialysis patients.
• Cardiac complications are a major concern for patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis (HD).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between serum FGF-23 levels and echocardiographic parameters in asymptomatic, long-term hemodialysis patients.
• To determine if FGF-23 can serve as a biomarker for cardiac status in this population.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 90 long-term HD patients without cardiac symptoms was studied.
• Comprehensive echocardiography was performed post-HD, with blood samples collected pre-HD.
• Serum FGF-23 levels were measured and correlated with various clinical and echocardiographic variables, including left ventricular mass index (LVMI).

Main Results:

• The mean serum FGF-23 level was 95.7 ± 88.4 pg/mL.
• Univariate analysis revealed weak correlations between FGF-23 and serum calcium, creatinine, albumin, and LVMI.
• Regression analysis indicated that LVMI, serum calcium, serum albumin, and serum creatinine were significant correlates of FGF-23, but the association with LVMI was weak.

Conclusions:

• FGF-23 demonstrates a weak association with left ventricular mass index in long-term hemodialysis patients.
• Serum FGF-23 levels alone may not be adequate for evaluating the cardiac status in this patient group.
• Further research is needed to clarify the role of FGF-23 in cardiac remodeling in CKD patients on dialysis.