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Updated: Jul 17, 2025

Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
Published on: June 16, 2014
Relationship between arterial stiffness, left ventricular diastolic function, and renal function in chronic kidney
Balázs Sági1, István Késői2, Tibor Vas1
12nd Dept. of Internal Medicine and Nephrology, Diabetes Centre, Medical School, Clinical Center, University of Pécs, Pacsirta Street 1, Pécs, 7624, Hungary.
Insights
In IgA nephropathy (IgAN), diastolic dysfunction and arterial stiffness worsen with declining kidney function. Early detection of vascular changes in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is possible.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Cardiology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and IgA nephropathy (IgAN) are associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes.
- Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and arterial stiffness are known prognostic indicators in CKD.
- The interplay between diastolic dysfunction, arterial stiffness, and renal function in IgAN requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between diastolic dysfunction, arterial stiffness, and renal function in patients with IgA nephropathy.
- To identify early vascular alterations in chronic kidney disease.
Main Methods:
- Seventy-nine IgA nephropathy patients and 50 controls were assessed.
- Diastolic function was measured using Tissue Doppler imaging (Ea, Aa).
- Arterial stiffness was evaluated using stiffness index (SI) and aortic pulse wave velocity (PWVao).
Main Results:
- A significant correlation was observed between diastolic function indices (Ea/Aa) and arterial stiffness measures (SI, PWVao) in IgAN patients.
- Diastolic dysfunction was more prevalent in IgAN patients with advanced CKD (CKD 3-5) compared to those with earlier stages (CKD 1-2).
- Left ventricle rigidity (LVR) correlated with arterial stiffness (SI) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), with independent predictors including age, E/A, and E/Ea for SI.
Conclusions:
- Increased cardiac and vascular stiffness are linked to decreased renal function in CKD, directly related to diastolic dysfunction.
- Vascular alterations in early CKD can be identified by comparing CKD patients to controls.
- Arterial stiffness and diastolic dysfunction are significant indicators of renal function decline in IgAN.
Aim:
In chronic kidney disease, IgA nephropathy, and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction have prognostic significance as well. However, the relationship between diastolic dysfunction, arterial stiffness, and renal function has not been fully elucidated.
Methods:
79 IgA nephropathy patients (aged 46 ± 11 years) and 50 controls were investigated. Tissue Doppler imaging was used to measure early (Ea) and late (Aa) diastolic velocities. Arterial stiffness was measured by a photoplethysmographic (stiffness index (SI)) and an oscillometric method (aortic pulse wave velocity (PWVao)).
Results:
We compared the IgAN patients to a similar cardiovascular risk group with a preserved eGFR. A strong correlation was found between Ea/Aa and SI (p < 0.001), also with PWVao (p < 0.001), just in IgAN, and with eGFR (p < 0.001) in both groups. IgAN patients were divided into groups CKD1-2 vs. CKD3-5. In the CKD 3-5 group, the incidence of diastolic dysfunction increased significantly: 39% vs. 72% (p = 0.003). Left ventricle rigidity (LVR) was calculated, which showed a close correlation with SI (p = 0.009) and eGFR (p = 0.038). By linear regression analysis, the independent predictors of SI were age, E/A, and E/Ea; SI was the predictor of LVR; and E/A and hypertension were the predictors of eGFR.
Conclusion:
In chronic kidney disease, increased cardiac rigidity and vascular stiffness coexist with decreased renal function, which is directly connected to diastolic dysfunction and vascular stiffness. On the basis of comparing the CKD group to the control group, vascular alterations in very early CKD can be identified.
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