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Updated: Jan 22, 2026
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Published on: July 19, 2021
The association between cardiac valvular calcification and fetuin-A levels in kidney transplant recipients
Nizameddin Koca1, Alparslan Ersoy2, Barış Şensoy3
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital, Bursa, Turkey. nizameddin.koca@sbu.edu.tr.
Insights
This study found no link between fetuin-A levels and valvular calcification in kidney transplant recipients. Further research is needed to understand fetuin-A
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Cardiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Low fetuin-A levels are linked to vascular and valvular calcification in hemodialysis patients.
- Existing research suggests a potential association between low fetuin-A and valvular calcification post-kidney transplantation.
- Understanding factors contributing to valvular calcification is crucial for managing cardiovascular risk in kidney recipients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between serum fetuin-A levels and valvular calcification in kidney transplant recipients.
- To determine if fetuin-A plays a role in the development of valvular calcification in this specific patient population.
Main Methods:
- Echocardiography was used to assess cardiac valvular calcification in 56 kidney transplant recipients.
- Patients were categorized into groups with and without aortic and/or mitral valve calcification.
- Serum fetuin-A levels were measured and correlated with clinical parameters and calcification status.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in demographic features or cardiovascular risk factors was observed between groups.
- Serum fetuin-A levels did not differ between kidney recipients with or without valvular calcification.
- Fetuin-A levels showed a positive correlation with serum creatinine and a negative correlation with estimated glomerular filtration rate.
Conclusions:
- This study did not establish a relationship between serum fetuin-A levels and valvular calcification in kidney transplant recipients.
- The findings suggest that fetuin-A may not be a significant predictor of valvular calcification in this cohort.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the role of serum fetuin-A in valvular calcification within kidney transplant recipients.
Objectives:
Low fetuin-A levels in hemodialysis patients can be associated with development of vascular and valvular calcifications. The mechanisms underlying vascular and valvular calcifications are multifactorial. There are a few studies showing the relationship between low fetuin-A levels and valvular calcification after kidney transplantation. We aimed to evaluate the association between serum fetuin-A levels and valvular calcification in kidney transplant recipients.
Methods:
The cardiac valvular calcification was assessed by echocardiography in 56 recipients. Patients were divided into two groups as those with (n = 11) and without (n = 45) aortic and/or mitral valve calcification. The extent of valvular calcification was visually assessed according to the standard visual score method: moderately (multiple larger spots) and heavily calcified (extensive thickening and calcification) of all cusps. Serum fetuin-A levels were measured.
Results:
The demographic features of both groups were comparable. There was no significant difference between regular physical exercise (63.6% vs. 55.6%), obesity (18.2% vs. 17.8%), abdominal obesity (54.5% vs. 46.7%), smoking (0% vs. 13.3%), hypertension (63.6% vs. 68.9%), left ventricular hypertrophy (45.5% vs. 33.3%) and diabetes mellitus (9.1% vs. 20%) ratios in groups with or without valvular calcification, respectively (p > 0.05). Fetuin-A levels of both groups did not differ. Fetuin-A levels positively correlated with serum creatinine (r 0.326, p = 0.014), and negatively correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (r - 0.297, p = 0.026).
Conclusions:
We could not find a relationship between serum fetuin-A levels and valvular calcification in kidney recipients. In this population, further studies are needed to assess the role of serum fetuin-A in valvular calcification.
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