EVALUATION OF CAROTID CALCIFICATIONS IN AMBULATORY DIALYSIS PATIENTS

Abstract

Vascular calcification and atherosclerosis are commonly associated with chronic terminal kidney disease (BCRT). The aim of the present study was to evaluate ultrasound the prevalence of calcifications and carotid plaques in BCRT patients treated with hemodialysis (HD), and to investigate the potential risk factors. The current observational-prospective study included 203 patients with BCRT, monitored for 48.5 ± 19.0 months and treated by hemodialysis in Arad county. The main etiologies for BCRT were chronic glomerulonephritis in 32% of cases and diabetes in 22% of cases. 43.84% of patients had a mean carotid IMT value ≥ 0.9. Carotid vascular calcification was found in 175 patients (86.20%), most calcifications being located at the level of the carotid bifurcation on the posterior wall. 105 carotid plaques have determined stenosis of the vessel's diameter. The total number of carotid plaques and plaques as well as the average value of carotid IMT were associated with age. Vascular calcifications were directly associated with the presence of diabetes. A linear association relation between vascular calcifications and carotid plaques was found, the correlation coefficient being equal to 0.73. Cardiovascular mortality was most strongly associated with the total number of carotid calcifications. Ultrasound remains the only readily available technique, capable of highlighting the non-calcified plaque. Highlighting the vascular calcifications and the intuition of the pathophysiological mechanisms that contribute to their appearance may be factors influencing the therapeutic behavior applied to dialysis patients.

Keywords

• vascular calcification
• vascular plaque
• carotid calcification
• carotid plaque
• dialysis patients