Incremental value of arterial stiffness over traditional risk factors in predicting subclinical cardiovascular remodeling in patients with moderate chronic renal failure

Angiology. 2011 Nov;62(8):662-8. doi: 10.1177/0003319711405508. Epub 2011 May 8.

Abstract

Cardiovascular remodeling in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is responsible for the high mortality found in this condition. A total of 89 consecutive outpatients with stage III CKD and 52 patients with stage II CKD with similar degree of traditional atherosclerotic risk factors underwent routine echocardiographic and carotid Doppler examination, evaluating vascular and cardiac remodeling (intima-media thickness [IMT] and left ventricular mass index [LVMi]), and its relation with arterial stiffness, determined in the same examination, using an echo-tracking technique. Also the absolute values of LVMi and IMT were statistically similar between the 2 groups, their determinants were completely different, only in stage III the markers of renal impairment and arterial stiffness being independent predictors of cardiac and vascular modifications. We concluded that macroanatomical measurements do not fully describe cardiovascular remodeling in this setting. Arterial stiffness echo-tracking derived could add valuable information, being an easy-to-perform parameter during a routine examination.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / diagnosis
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / etiology*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / physiopathology
  • Carotid Arteries / diagnostic imaging
  • Carotid Arteries / physiopathology*
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / complications*
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / diagnosis
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Prognosis
  • Risk Factors
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler
  • Vascular Stiffness / physiology*
  • Ventricular Function / physiology*
  • Ventricular Remodeling / physiology*