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Updated: Jan 20, 2026

Author Spotlight: Using Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Comprehensive Evaluation of the Abdominal Aorta
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Author Spotlight: Using Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Comprehensive Evaluation of the Abdominal Aorta

Published on: September 8, 2023

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Calcification of abdominal aorta in patients recently starting hemodialysis: A single-center experience from Egypt

Ahmed Fayed1, Mahmoud M Elnokeety1, Khaled Attia1

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Nephrology Unit, School of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.

Saudi Journal of Kidney Diseases and Transplantation : an Official Publication of the Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation, Saudi Arabia
|August 30, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Vascular calcification is common in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients starting hemodialysis (HD). Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) is the only significant factor linked to abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) in these patients.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Vascular Biology
  • Mineral Bone Disease

Background:

  • Vascular calcification (VC) is a frequent complication in chronic kidney disease (CKD).
  • Mineral bone disease significantly impacts VC pathogenesis in pre-dialysis CKD patients.
  • Assessing abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) is crucial for understanding VC in CKD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence and extent of AAC in non-diabetic CKD patients initiating hemodialysis (HD).
  • To investigate the relationship between mineral bone disease markers and AAC in incident HD patients.
  • To identify significant correlates of AAC in this patient population.

Main Methods:

  • Eighty-one end-stage renal disease patients starting HD were evaluated.
  • Clinical examination and laboratory tests (serum calcium, phosphorus, PTH, FGF-23, alkaline phosphatase) were performed.
  • Spiral computed tomography (CT) assessed abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) scores.

Main Results:

  • Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) was present in 64 patients (79%).
  • AAC scores significantly correlated with patient age (r = 0.609) and serum FGF-23 levels (r = 0.800).
  • Serum FGF-23 was the sole statistically significant correlate of AAC.

Conclusions:

  • The prevalence and extent of AAC are significant in patients newly starting HD.
  • Serum FGF-23 levels are strongly associated with abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) in incident HD patients.
  • FGF-23 emerges as a key factor in vascular calcification within this cohort.

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