Impaired kidney function is associated with SYNTAX score in patients with stable coronary artery disease

The strong relationship between severe renal dysfunction and coronary artery disease (CAD) is well-known. However, the association between kidney function with SYNTAX Score (SS) has not been investigated in patients with stable CAD with normal to mildly impaired renal function. We aimed to investigate the association between kidney function with SS.

In this study, 411 stable CAD patients in whom coronary angiography (CAG) was performed were prospectively included (247 male, 164 female; mean age 58.6 ± 12.4 years). Glomerular filtration rate was estimated (eGFR) by a modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) formula. Two different groups were determined according to median eGFR values (GFRlow group <90, and GRFhigh group ≥ 90). CAG was performed based on clinical indications. SS was determined in all patients.

Patients in GFRlow group were older, and have a history of hypertension (HT) and diabetes mellitus and high body mass index. SS values of GFRlow group were higher than GFRhigh group (p<0.001 for all). Multivariate regression analysis showed that eGFR was independently associated with diabetes (ß, -0.206, p<0.001), HT (ß, -0.093, p=0.026) and SS (ß, -0.445, p<0.001).

eGFR is independently associated with extent and complexity of CAD as well as diabetes and HT. Importantly, these results may explain, in part, the increase in cardiovascular risk in with slightly impaired renal function.