Association of serum fibroblast growth factor-23 with Doppler pulse wave velocity in hemodialysis patients

We aimed to study the association of fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) as a novel cardiovascular risk factor with Doppler pulse wave velocity (PWV) as an arterial stiffness measuring tool in hemodialysis (HD) patients. We conducted a cross-sectional study in which blood samples from 86 HD patients were obtained to estimate FGF 23 and other parameters. Flow waveforms were obtained at two locations within right common carotid artery, and right femoral artery by Doppler ultrasound with ECG recorded in addition. The time differences between the R wave of the ECG signal and the onset of the flow waveforms at the two sites yield ΔT. Distances between sampling sites were measured using a tape measure. PWV was defined as (m/s) = D (m)/ ΔT (s). In the current study, we found significant positive correlations between Doppler PWV and both age (r = 0.401, P = 0.039) and systolic blood pressure (r = 0.602, P = 0.034), while no significant association between Doppler PWV and FGF-23 (r = 0.123, P = 0.259) could be detected. Serum FGF-23 levels are not significantly associated with Doppler PWV in HD patients.