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Updated: May 10, 2026
04:40
Identifying Coronary Artery Calcification on Non-gated Computed Tomography Scans
Published on: August 28, 2018
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Quantitative Abdominal Arterial Calcification Correlates with Kidney Transplant Waitlist Mortality
Tambi Jarmi1, Tareq Hanouneh2, Michael Mao3
1Department of Transplant, Mayo Clinic Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, USA.
Kidney & Blood Pressure Research
|May 23, 2024
Summary
The abdominal arterial calcification (AAC) score is a valuable predictor of mortality risk for patients awaiting kidney transplants. Higher AAC scores correlate with an increased risk of death on the transplant waitlist.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Imaging
- Transplant Surgery
- Nephrology
Background:
- Kidney transplantation faces organ scarcity, leading to long wait times for end-stage kidney disease patients.
- Prolonged waitlists increase cardiovascular mortality risk, a significant concern for transplant candidates.
- Large artery calcification is prevalent in kidney transplant candidates and is a known cardiovascular disease risk factor.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the correlation between abdominal arterial calcification (AAC) score and mortality risk in patients on the kidney transplant waitlist.
Main Methods:
- A modified coronary calcium scoring method was adapted to quantify AAC.
- A retrospective study analyzed adult kidney transplant candidates listed between 2005 and 2015 with abdominal CT scans.
- Patients were categorized into groups based on survival or mortality during the waitlist period.
Main Results:
- An increase of 1,000 in the AAC score was significantly associated with a higher risk of death (HR 1.034, p=0.001).
- This association persisted after adjusting for factors like age, diabetes, and dialysis status.
- The AAC score effectively predicted mortality risk among kidney transplant waitlist patients.
Conclusions:
- The AAC score shows promise as a noninvasive imaging biomarker for assessing mortality risk in kidney transplant candidates.
- Integrating AAC scoring into routine imaging could enhance risk stratification and personalize patient care.
- This tool may aid in better management of patients awaiting kidney transplants.
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