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Updated: Jan 25, 2026

Calcification of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Imaging of Aortic Calcification and Inflammation
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Kidney Function and Arterial Calcification in Major Vascular Beds

Sanaz Sedaghat1, Ewout J Hoorn2, M Arfan Ikram1

  • 11 Department of Epidemiology Erasmus MC - University Medical Center Rotterdam the Netherlands.

Journal of the American Heart Association
|April 27, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Impaired kidney function is linked to arterial calcification, but cardiovascular risk factors explain this association. Arterial calcification does not mediate the relationship between kidney function and cardiovascular disease (CVD) beyond these risk factors.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Cardiology
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Kidney function decline is associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
  • Arterial calcification is a marker of vascular damage and a predictor of CVD.
  • The interplay between kidney function, arterial calcification, and CVD incidence requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the association between kidney function and arterial calcification in major arteries.
  • To determine if arterial calcification mediates the relationship between kidney function and CVD incidence.

Main Methods:

  • The Rotterdam Study cohort (2241 participants) was analyzed.
  • Kidney function was assessed by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR).
  • Arterial calcification was quantified using computed tomography in the coronary arteries, aortic arch, and carotid arteries. Mediation analysis was performed.

Main Results:

  • Lower eGFR and higher UACR were associated with greater arterial calcification in all studied vascular beds.
  • CVD incidence was higher in participants with reduced eGFR and arterial calcification.
  • Arterial calcification did not mediate the association between kidney function and CVD after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors.

Conclusions:

  • Cardiovascular risk factors partially explain the link between impaired kidney function and increased arterial calcification.
  • Arterial calcification does not appear to mediate the association between kidney function and CVD incidence independently of established cardiovascular risk factors.

Keywords:
atherosclerosiscalcificationcomputed tomographyimagingkidney

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