Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 27, 2025

A Semi-Automated and Reproducible Biological-Based Method to Quantify Calcium Deposition In Vitro
Published on: June 2, 2022
Risk factors associated with valvular calcification in patients with chronic kidney disease. Analysis of NEFRONA
Lidia Martínez Fernández1, J Emilio Sánchez-Alvarez2, César Morís de la Tassa1
1Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain.
Insights
Valvular calcification is common in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients and progresses over two years. Risk factors for mitral calcification include age, ABI, and CaxP; aortic calcification is linked to age, phosphorus, and carotid plaque.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Nephrology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) face elevated risks of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
- Subclinical cardiac structural changes, like valvular calcification, are significant prognostic indicators in CKD patients.
- Understanding valvular calcification prevalence and progression is crucial for CVD risk management in CKD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and 24-month evolution of aortic and mitral valve calcification in CKD patients.
- To investigate the association between valvular calcification and various cardiovascular risk factors.
- To identify patient subgroups at higher risk for valvular calcification progression.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 397 CKD patients from the NEFRONA study was analyzed.
- Echocardiograms were used to assess aortic and mitral valve calcification at baseline and 24 months.
- Statistical analysis explored relationships between calcification and risk factors like estimated glomerular filtrate rate (eGFR), age, ankle-brachial index (ABI), calcium-phosphorus product (CaxP), and carotid plaque area.
Main Results:
- A significant prevalence of valvular calcification was found in CKD patients without pre-existing CVD.
- Valvular calcification showed progression over 24 months, independent of eGFR.
- Mitral calcification was associated with higher age, ABI, and CaxP at baseline.
- Aortic calcification was associated with higher age, phosphorus levels, and carotid plaque area at baseline.
Conclusions:
- Valvular calcification is prevalent and progresses in CKD patients, even without known CVD.
- Older age, higher ABI, CaxP, phosphorus levels, and carotid plaque area are key risk factors for valvular calcification.
- Identifying high-risk individuals allows for targeted interventions to prevent cardiovascular events.
Introduction:
Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at high risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Subclinical cardiac structural alterations have prognostic value in these patients. The aim was to analyse the prevalence of valvular calcification, the evolution and the relationship with different risk factors.
Material And Methods:
Part of the sample of the NEFRONA study was randomly selected. Aortic and mitral valve calcification were analysed in echocardiograms performed at the baseline visit and at 24 months.
Results:
We included 397 patients, the estimated basal glomerular filtrate (eGFR) was 33 ml/min with significant decrease to 30.9 ml/min. There was an increase in the area of carotid and femoral plaque, as well as an increase in patients with aortic and mitral calcification at 24 months. A positive association of mitral calcification at 24 months with age, ankle-brachial index (ABI) and calcium-phosphorus product (CaxP) at baseline visit was observed, without association with eGFR. Aortic calcification at 24 months was positively associated with age, phosphorous and total carotid plaque area at baseline, with no relationship to eGFR.
Conclusions:
A significant prevalence of valvular calcification was observed in patients with CKD without known cardiovascular disease.Two-year progression was observed independently of the eGFR. Patients with higher risk of mitral valve calcification were those with older age, higher ABI and CaxP product. Patients with a higher risk of aortic calcification were those with older age, higher phosphorous levels and larger area of carotid plaque. Identifying these higher risk patients would help to avoid future cardiovascular events intensifying follow-ups.
Related Concept Videos
Chronic Kidney Disease I: Introduction
Nephrons
Chronic Kidney Disease IV: Nursing Management
Chronic Kidney Disease II: Clinical Manifestations
Chronic Kidney Disease III: Interprofessional Care
Acute Kidney Injury IV: Diagnostic Studies and Prevention

