Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 5, 2026
Calcification of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Imaging of Aortic Calcification and Inflammation
Published on: May 31, 2016
Abdominal aortic calcification can predict all-cause mortality and CV events in dialysis patients: A systematic
Qingyu Niu1, Yang Hong2, Cho-Hao Lee3
1Department of Nephrology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China.
Insights
Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) significantly increases mortality and cardiovascular risks in dialysis patients. Imaging like X-rays can help predict these adverse outcomes, guiding better clinical management.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Cardiology
- Radiology
Background:
- Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) is common in dialysis patients and linked to prognosis.
- AAC can be detected using abdominal CT or X-ray imaging.
- The prognostic value of AAC in dialysis patients requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) and all-cause mortality in dialysis patients.
- To examine the link between AAC and cardiovascular (CV) events in patients undergoing dialysis.
- To conduct a meta-analysis and systematic review to consolidate existing evidence.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was performed across major databases (PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Medline).
- Cohort studies examining AAC and patient outcomes were included.
- Meta-analysis was conducted using STATA, with results reported as hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).
Main Results:
- 10 studies involving 2,724 dialysis patients were analyzed.
- AAC presence was associated with a 2.84-fold increased risk of all-cause mortality (HR, 2.84; 95% CI, 2.03-3.98).
- AAC was linked to a 2.04-fold increased risk of fatal and non-fatal CV events (HR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.51-2.76).
Conclusions:
- Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) is significantly associated with adverse outcomes, including mortality and CV events, in dialysis patients.
- Abdominal X-ray or CT scans are valuable tools for assessing calcification and estimating adverse event risk.
- Identifying AAC can guide clinical treatment and improve the prognosis for dialysis patients.
Background:
Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) has a pretty high incidence in dialysis patients and may be associated with their prognosis. AAC can be assessed by abdominal CT or X-ray. We determined to investigate whether the occurrence of AAC is associated with all-cause mortality and cardiovascular (CV) events in dialysis patients through this meta-analysis and systematic review.
Methods:
A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the PubMed, Cochrane library, Embase, Medline databases to collect cohort studies investigating whether AAC is associated with all-cause mortality and CV events of patients, and we also searched gray articles and conferences abstracts. Meta-analysis was performed by STATA software. Pooled results were expressed as hazard ratio (HR) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). Fixed-effect models were used to pool the HR of each trial.
Results:
10 studies (2,724 dialysis patients) were identified. The presence of AAC was associated with increased risk for all-cause mortality among dialysis patients (HR, 2.84; 95% CI, 2.03-3.98; I2 = 9.8%; P = 0.354). Meanwhile, there was an association between AAC and increased risk for all CV events (fatal and non-fatal) in patients (HR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.51-2.76, I2 = 44.6%; P = 0.125). 3 studies presented their endpoint as CV mortality, and the pooled HR was 2.46 (95%CI 1.38-4.40; I2 = 0.0%; P = 0.952). There were also 2 studies that reported their primary endpoint as all-cause mortality and CV events, and the pooled HR was 5.72 (95% CI 3.24-10.10; I2 = 0.0%; P = 0.453).
Conclusions:
Among patients treated with dialysis, AAC is associated with adverse outcomes, including all-cause mortality and CV events (fatal and non-fatal). The abdominal X-ray or CT scan can be used as a useful added method to evaluate the patient's calcification. This may provide reasonable data for estimating the risk of adverse events in dialysis patients, which is helpful in guiding clinical treatment and improving the prognosis of dialysis patients.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Dialysis
Acute kidney injury develops suddenly and can be caused by pre-renal causes (e.g., hypovolemia, shock), intrinsic renal causes (e.g., acute tubular necrosis), or post-renal causes (e.g., urinary obstruction). In contrast, chronic renal failure progresses gradually over time and is often...
01:15Dialysis
01:10Review and Preview
Percentiles are a type of fractile that partition data into...
01:13Review and Preview
01:25Peritoneal Dialysis II: Peritoneal Dialysis Systems and Complications
02:27Predicting Molecular Geometry