Association between central aortic pulsatility and glomerular filtration rate in patients with coronary artery...

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Nephrology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Aortic stiffness and chronic kidney disease share common risk factors.
• Increased aortic stiffness predicts lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at reduced renal function levels.
• Investigating the link between aortic stiffness and eGFR is crucial for managing patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between invasively measured central aortic pulsatility (AP), an indicator of aortic stiffness, and eGFR.
• To assess this relationship in a population with coronary artery disease but without overt renal disease.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study design with retrospective data collection from 72 CAD patients (44 males, 28 females; mean age 59.0±10.3 years).
• eGFR calculated using the Cockcroft-Gault formula divided by body surface area.
• Central aortic blood pressures measured directly to determine pulse pressure and AP; multiple linear regression analysis performed.

Main Results:

• eGFR significantly correlated with age, body surface area, weight, aortic pulse pressure, and AP (r=-0.469, p<0.001).
• AP was independently associated with eGFR (p=0.035) in multiple linear regression, alongside age and body surface area.
• An AP cut-off level >0.71 demonstrated 84% sensitivity and 72% specificity for predicting eGFR <90 mL/min/1.72 m² (AUC: 0.851, p<0.001).

Conclusions:

• An independent relationship exists between invasively measured AP and eGFR in patients with coronary artery disease.
• Higher aortic pulsatility may serve as a predictor of lower estimated glomerular filtration rate.
• These findings suggest AP could be utilized to predict eGFR during invasive cardiovascular procedures.