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Updated: Apr 12, 2026
A Semi-Automated and Reproducible Biological-Based Method to Quantify Calcium Deposition In Vitro
Published on: June 2, 2022
Coronary artery calcification and large artery stiffness in renal transplant recipients
Paweł Stróżecki1, Zbigniew Serafin2, Andrzej Adamowicz3
1Department of Nephrology, Hypertension and Internal Diseases, The Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Dr. Antoni Jurasz University Hospital No. 1, Bydgoszcz, Poland.
Insights
Coronary artery calcification is common in renal transplant recipients. Pulse wave velocity may help exclude severe calcification but is not independently associated with it.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Nephrology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Coronary artery calcification (CAC) predicts cardiovascular events in renal transplant recipients (RTR).
- Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), a measure of arterial stiffness, also predicts events in RTR.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the relationship between CAC and PWV in RTR.
- Assess PWV's performance in predicting CAC.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of 104 RTR.
- CAC assessed by calcium score (CS) and calcium mass (CM).
- Carotid-femoral PWV measured; ROC curve analysis used.
Main Results:
- CAC present in 69% of RTR.
- PWV higher in RTR with CAC (10.2±2.2 vs. 8.6±15; p<0.001).
- CS independently associated with age, not PWV in regression analysis.
Conclusions:
- High prevalence of CAC confirmed in RTR.
- Aortic stiffness (PWV) not independently associated with CAC in RTR.
- PWV may help exclude severe CAC in RTR.
Purpose:
Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is an independent predictor of cardiovascular (CV) events in renal transplant recipients (RTR). Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), a non-invasive measure of large artery stiffness, also predicts CV events in RTR. The study investigated the relationship between CAC and PWV in RTR and assessed the performance of PWV measurement in predicting CAC.
Patients/Methods:
The study was performed as cross-sectional analysis in 104 RTR. CAC was determined as total calcium score (CS) and calcium mass (CM). Carotid-femoral PWV was also measured. Sensitivity, specificity and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used to assess the performance of PWV as diagnostic test for presence of CAC.
Results:
CAC was found in 69% of participants. PWV was higher in RTR with CAC than in RTR without CAC (10.2±2.2 vs. 8.6±15; p<0.001). In univariate analysis CS was significantly correlated with age, duration of hypertension, waist circumference, PWV, hemoglobin concentration, and serum glucose. In multiple linear regression analysis CS was independently associated with age only, but not with PWV. Sensitivity and specificity of PWV>7.6m/s as cut-off for detecting CAC>0 was 0.889 and 0.406, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of PWV>10.2m/s as cut-off for detecting severe CAC (CS>400) was 0.319 and 0.969, respectively.
Conclusions:
The study confirmed high prevalence of coronary artery calcification in renal transplant recipients. The study does not support the hypothesis that aortic stiffness is independently associated with coronary artery calcification in RTR. PWV measurement may be useful in excluding severe CAC in RTR.
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