Associations between coronary calcification on chest radiographs and mortality in hemodialysis patients

Moderate-severe aortic arch calcification and high serum alkaline phosphatase co-modify the risk of cardiovascular events and mortality among chronic hemodialysis patients

BACKGROUND

Patients with end-stage kidney disease undergoing chronic hemodialysis (HD) have an unparalleled risk of vascular calcification (VC) and high alkaline phosphatase (Alk-P) levels. However, whether VC contributed to the cardiovascular risk modified by serum Alk-P levels was not addressed in the population.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted on chronic HD patients, between October 1 and December 31, 2018, with aortic arch calcification (AoAC) scores and serum Alk-P levels. Patients were categorized into four groups: non-to-mild AoAC/low Alk-P, non-to-mild AoAC/high Alk-P, moderate-to-severe AoAC/low Alk-P, and moderate-to-severe AoAC/high Alk-P. The Cox proportional hazard model and Kaplan-Meier analysis were used to evaluate the risks of major adverse cardiovascular effects (MACEs) and cardiovascular and all-cause mortality after multivariate adjustment.

RESULTS

Among 376 chronic HD patients recruited, 125 (33%) had non-to-mild AoAC/low Alk-P, 76 (20%) had non-to-mild AoAC/high Alk-P, 89 (24%) had moderate-to-severe AoAC/low Alk-P, and 86 (23%) had moderate-to-severe AoAC/high Alk-P. After 3 years of follow-up, patients with coexisting moderate-to-severe AoAC and high Alk-P had a higher risk of MACEs (aHR 1.76; 95% CI 1.06-2.92), and cardiovascular (aHR 2.49; 95% CI 1.21-5.11) and all-cause mortality (aHR 2.67; 95% CI 1.39-5.13) compared to those with non-to-mild AoAC/low Alk-P even after adjustments for significant clinical variables.

CONCLUSIONS

In chronic HD patients, moderate to severe AoAC co-existed with high Alk-P levels and enhanced the risk of MACEs and cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. Interventions to attenuate these risk factors simultaneously should be emphasized in this population.

Integrating VAI-Assisted Quantified CXRs and Multimodal Data to Assess the Risk of Mortality

To address the unmet need for a widely available examination for mortality prediction, this study developed a foundation visual artificial intelligence (VAI) to enhance mortality risk stratification using chest X-rays (CXRs). The VAI employed deep learning to extract CXR features and a Cox proportional hazard model to generate a hazard score ("CXR-risk"). We retrospectively collected CXRs from patients visited outpatient department and physical examination center. Subsequently, we reviewed mortality and morbidity outcomes from electronic medical records. The dataset consisted of 41,945, 10,492, 31,707, and 4441 patients in the training, validation, internal test, and external test sets, respectively. During the median follow-up of 3.2 (IQR, 1.2-6.1) years of both internal and external test sets, the "CXR-risk" demonstrated C-indexes of 0.859 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.851-0.867) and 0.870 (95% CI, 0.844-0.896), respectively. Patients with high "CXR-risk," above 85th percentile, had a significantly higher risk of mortality than those with low risk, below 50th percentile. The addition of clinical and laboratory data and radiographic report further improved the predictive accuracy, resulting in C-indexes of 0.888 and 0.900. The VAI can provide accurate predictions of mortality and morbidity outcomes using just a single CXR, and it can complement other risk prediction indicators to assist physicians in assessing patient risk more effectively.

Coronary Artery Calcium Detection with Dual-Energy Posteroanterior and Lateral Chest Radiography: Imaging Clues and Added Value of the Lateral View

Purpose To evaluate the accuracy of detection based on level of interpreter experience when reporting coronary artery calcium (CAC) on dual-energy (DE) posteroanterior (PA) and lateral chest radiographs and demonstrate the accuracy of specific imaging clues. Materials and Methods Retrospective review of 45-70-year-old patients who underwent DE PA and lateral chest radiography between March 1, 2021, and June 30, 2021, and also underwent noncontrast chest CT scan within 3 years. Following instruction of DE principles and the appearance of CAC, seven readers interpreted the DE chest radiographs to state if CAC was possibly present, definitely present, or not present; estimate ordinal CAC score; and report imaging clues present. Results Ninety-nine patients were selected (mean age, 58.6 years; 53 male and 46 female patients). Among the 62 patients with CAC, the median score was 92. The median CAC score among seven readers when detected ranged from 120 to 203 and when not detected ranged from 18.9 to 39. Among all readers, sensitivity ranged from 71% to 84% in detecting CAC as possibly or definitely present with a specificity range of 54%-92%, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve range was 0.767 to 0.906. The interreader agreement κ statistic ranged from 0.488 to 0.750. Conclusion DE lateral chest radiographs demonstrated CAC better than DE PA radiographs, with relatively high accuracy and with moderate and substantial interreader agreement. Preclinical detection of CAC presents an opportunity for early intervention in coronary atherosclerotic disease, which may be augmented by machine learning tools. Keywords: Dual Energy Chest Radiography, Lateral Chest Radiography, Lateral Chest X-ray Coronary Calcium, Coronary Calcium Screening, Coronary Calcium Detection Supplemental material is available for this article. © RSNA, 2025.

Chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder: conclusions from a Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Controversies Conference

In 2017, Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) published a Clinical Practice Guideline Update for the Diagnosis, Evaluation, Prevention, and Treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease-Mineral and Bone Disorder (CKD-MBD). Since then, new lines of evidence have been published related to evaluating disordered mineral metabolism and bone quality and turnover, identifying and inhibiting vascular calcification, targeting vitamin D levels, and regulating parathyroid hormone. For an in-depth consideration of the new insights, in October 2023, KDIGO held a Controversies Conference on CKD-MBD: Progress and Knowledge Gaps Toward Personalizing Care. Participants concluded that the recommendations in the 2017 CKD-MBD guideline remained largely consistent with the available evidence. However, the framework of the 2017 Guideline, with 3 major sections-biochemical abnormalities in mineral metabolism; bone disease; and vascular calcification-may no longer best reflect currently available evidence related to diagnosis and treatment. Instead, future guideline efforts could consider mineral homeostasis and deranged endocrine systems in adults within a context of 2 clinical syndromes: CKD-associated osteoporosis, encompassing increased fracture risk in patients with CKD; and CKD-associated cardiovascular disease, including vascular calcification and structural abnormalities, such as valvular calcification and left ventricular hypertrophy. Participants emphasized that the complexity of bone and cardiovascular manifestations of CKD-MBD necessitates personalized approaches to management.

Mönckeberg's medial arteriosclerosis in the oral and maxillofacial region: A pilot study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the prevalence of medial vascular calcifications in the oral and maxillofacial region and their association with systemic diseases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included 211 consecutive patients with systemic diseases (January 2015-May 2016). Medical history and radiographic images were evaluated. Univariate analysis (t-test) was performed for continuous variables (age). The Chi square test was applied for the categorical variables (Mönckeberg medial arteriosclerosis [MMA], gender).

RESULTS

There was a 6.2% prevalence of MMA. The mean age of patients with MMA was 65.46 ± 13.38. The prevalence of kidney disease in patients with MMA was significantly higher than in those without MMA (p < 0.001). This finding was maintained even after adjusting for other systemic diseases (OR = 31.84 [8.63-136.78]).

CONCLUSION

A significant prevalence of MMA in kidney disease patients was observed in this pilot study.

Citric acid-based bicarbonate dialysate attenuates aortic arch calcification in maintenance hemodialysis patients: a retrospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Progression of aortic calcification is associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in hemodialysis patients. Blood calciprotein particle (CPP) levels are associated with coronary artery calcification and were reported to be inhibited when using citric acid-based bicarbonate dialysate (CD). Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effect of CD on the progression of the aortic arch calcification score (AoACS) and blood CPP levels in hemodialysis patients.

METHODS

A 12-month retrospective observational study of 262 hemodialysis patients was conducted. AoACS was evaluated by calculating the number of calcifications in 16 segments of the aortic arch on chest X-ray (minimum score is 0; maximum score is 16 points). The patients were divided into the following groups according to their baseline AoACS: grade 0, AoACS = 0 points; grade 1, AoACS 1-4 points; grade 2, AoACS 5-8 points; grade 3, AoACS 9 points or higher. Patients on bisphosphonates or warfarin or with AoACS grade 3 were excluded. Progression, defined as ΔAoACS (12-month score - baseline score) > 0 points, was compared between the CD and acetic acid-based bicarbonate dialysate (AD) groups before and after adjusting the background using propensity score matching.

RESULTS

The AoACS progression rate was significantly lower in the CD group than in the AD group (before matching: P = 0.020, after matching: P = 0.002). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that CD was significantly associated with AoACS progression (odds ratio 0.52, 95% confidence interval 0.29‒0.92, P = 0.025).

CONCLUSION

CD may slow the progression of vascular calcification in hemodialysis patients.

Assessment of a serum calcification propensity test for the prediction of all-cause mortality among hemodialysis patients

BACKGROUND

Vascular calcification is a major contributor to the high cardiac burden among hemodialysis patients. A novel in vitro T50-test, which determines calcification propensity of human serum, may identify patients at high risk for cardiovascular (CV) disease and mortality. We evaluated whether T50 predicts mortality and hospitalizations among an unselected cohort of hemodialysis patients.

METHODS

This prospective clinical study included 776 incident and prevalent hemodialysis patients from 8 dialysis centers in Spain. T50 and fetuin-A were determined at Calciscon AG, all other clinical data were retrieved from the European Clinical Database. After their baseline T50 measurement, patients were followed for two years for the occurrence of all-cause mortality, CV-related mortality, all-cause and CV-related hospitalizations. Outcome assessment was performed with proportional subdistribution hazards regression modelling.

RESULTS

Patients who died during follow-up had a significantly lower T50 at baseline as compared to those who survived (269.6 vs. 287.7 min, p = 0.001). A cross-validated model (mean c statistic: 0.5767) identified T50 as a linear predictor of all-cause-mortality (subdistribution hazard ratio (per min): 0.9957, 95% CI [0.9933;0.9981]). T50 remained significant after inclusion of known predictors. There was no evidence for prediction of CV-related outcomes, but for all-cause hospitalizations (mean c statistic: 0.5284).

CONCLUSION

T50 was identified as an independent predictor of all-cause mortality among an unselected cohort of hemodialysis patients. However, the additional predictive value of T50 added to known mortality predictors was limited. Future studies are needed to assess the predictive value of T50 for CV-related events in unselected hemodialysis patients.

Vascular calcification by conventional X-ray and mortality in a cohort of predominantly African descent hemodialysis patients

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

There is a lack of studies describing the prevalence of vascular calcification (VC) and its association with mortality in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients of African descent. We investigated if a VC score based on the number of calcified vascular beds was associated with mortality in MHD patients.

METHODS

We analyzed data from 211 MHD patients enrolled from January 2010 to January 2011 in the prospective cohort study, "The Prospective Study of the Prognosis of Chronic Hemodialysis Patients (PROHEMO)," developed in Salvador, BA, Brazil. VC was evaluated using radiographs of the hands, abdomen, hip, and chest; the score was calculated by the number of calcified sites as 0 (absence of calcification), 1 (one calcified site), 2 (two sites), 3 (⩾3 sites). We used Cox's regression to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of associations between VC and mortality with adjustments for age and comorbidities.

RESULTS

VC was detected in 114 (54.0%) patients; 37 (17.5%) with a VC score = 1; 21 (10%) with VC score = 2 and 56 (26.5%) with VC score = 3. Compared with VC score = 0, the adjusted hazard of death was 2.67 (95% CI: 1.12, 6.33) for patients with VC score = 1; HR = 2.89 (95% CI: 0.95, 7.63) for VC score = 2; and HR = 3.27 (95% CI: 1.47, 7.28) for VC score = 3.

CONCLUSION

The present study in an African descent MHD population provides support for the VC score based on conventional radiography as a prediction tool for the clinical practice. As shown, the VC score was monotonically and independently associated with mortality.

A Joint Evaluation of Neurohormone Vasopressin-Neurophysin II-Copeptin and Aortic Arch Calcification on Mortality Risks in Hemodialysis Patients

Objective: Systemic hypoperfusion is intricately involved in neurohormone secretion, vascular calcification (VC) related impaired vasodilation, and luminal stenosis. We aimed to conduct a joint evaluation of vasopressin-neurophysin II-copeptin peptide (VP) and advanced aortic arch calcification (AAC) on all-cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Methods: Unadjusted and adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) of mortality risks were analyzed for different groups of VP and AAC in 167 MHD patients. The modification effect between higher VP and advanced AAC on mortality risk was examined using an interaction product term. Results: Interactions between VP and AAC with respect to all-cause and CV mortality were statistically significant. In multivariable analysis, higher VP predicted all-cause and CV mortality [aHR: 2.2 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1-4.5)] and 2.6 (95% CI: 1.1-4.6), respectively. Advanced AAC was associated with incremental risks of all-cause and CV mortality [aHR: 2.1 (95% CI: 1.1-4.0)and 2.5 (95% CI: 1.0-4.3), respectively]. Patients with combined higher VP (>101.5 ng/mL) and advanced AAC were at the greatest risk of all-cause and CV mortality [aHR: 4.7 (95% CI: 1.2-16.2)and 4.9 (95% CI: 1.1-18.9), respectively]. Conclusion: Combined VP and advanced AAC predict not only all-cause but also CV death in MHD patients, and a joint evaluation is more comprehensive than single marker. In light of hypoperfusion and ischemic events in vital organs, VP and AAC could act as more robust dual marker for prognostic assessment.

Association of abdominal aortic calcification estimated by plain radiography with outcomes in haemodialysis patients: A 6-year follow-up study

AIM

Vascular calcification has played a vital role in increasing the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality in maintenance haemodialysis (MHD) patients. This study is aimed at exploring the prognostic value of abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) estimated by plain lateral abdominal radiography in MHD patients.

METHODS

Lateral abdominal radiography was used to determine the abdominal aortic calcification score (AACS). The serum level of fibroblast growth factor-23 was tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Patients were divided into two groups: no or minor calcification group (AACS < 5) and moderate to severe calcification group (AACS ≥ 5). All patients were followed up to death or the end of the study (30 November 2016).

RESULTS

A total of 114 patients were enrolled in this study, including 64 males (56.1%), and the mean age was 57.42 ± 13.48 years. Seventy-six patients (66.7%) exhibited AAC. Independent predictors for moderate to severe calcification were older age (odds ratio (OR) 1.06 (1.02-1.10), P = 0.003), longer dialysis vintage (OR 1.01 (1.00-1.02), P = 0.039), presence of smoking (OR 3.01 (1.18-7.70), P = 0.021) and higher Log fibroblast growth factor-23 serum levels (OR 2.83 (1.01-7.94), P = 0.048). During a median follow-up of 6.0 (5.6, 6.1) years, 22 patients (19.3%) died of all-cause death, and 17 cases (14.9%) died of CVD. Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that patients in the moderate to severe calcification group had significantly higher all-cause (28.3 vs 11.5%, P = 0.028) and CVD mortality (22.6 vs 8.2%, P = 0.035) than that in the no or minor calcification group. A multivariate Cox regression showed that AACS (hazard ratio 1.08 (1.01-1.15), P = 0.022) was an independent predictor of CVD mortality. Compared with the no or minor calcification group, the risk of CVD mortality was increased by a factor of 3.14 in patients in the moderate to severe calcification group (hazard ratio 3.14 (1.04-9.44), P = 0.042).

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that AAC is prevalent in MHD patients and could provide potential predictive information for CVD mortality. Plain lateral abdominal radiography, which is simple and cheap and involves lower radiation, might represent an appropriate screening method for evaluating vascular calcification in daily clinical practice.

Prevalence of coronary artery calcification and its association with mortality, cardiovascular events in patients with chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

To date, the prevalence and prognostic role of coronary artery calcification (CAC) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have been investigated in several studies, but have yielded conflicting results. The aim of this meta-analysis is to derive a more precise estimation of CAC prevalence in CKD patients and its association with cardiovascular events and mortality.

METHODS

The relevant literature was identified and evaluated from inception until July 2018 through multiple search strategies on PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Cross-sectional or cohort (baseline data) studies reporting CAC prevalence were included. Data extracted from eligible studies were used to calculate effect estimates (ESs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). We searched databases for observational studies that explored baseline CAC and subsequent cardiovascular or all-cause mortality risk in CKD patients.

RESULTS

The meta-analysis included 47 studies; 38 of these were included in the final analysis of CAC prevalence. The pooled prevalence of CAC in random effect model was 60% (95%CI 53-68%). CAC was positively associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 3.44; 95%CI 2.40-4.94), cardiovascular mortality (HR 3.87; 95%CI 2.06-7.26), and cardiovascular events (HR 2.09; 95%CI 1.19-3.67), when comparing individuals in the top CAC score group to those in the bottom CAC score group.

CONCLUSIONS

The pooled prevalence of CAC is highly prevalent. CAC is independently associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality risk as well as cardiovascular events among CKD patients. In view of the high heterogeneity, larger clinical trials are still needed.

Malnutrition, inflammation, progression of vascular calcification and survival: Inter-relationships in hemodialysis patients

Background and aims

Malnutrition and inflammation are closely linked to vascular calcification (VC), the severity of which correlate with adverse outcome. However, there were few studies on the interplay between malnutrition, inflammation and VC progression, rather than VC presence per se. We aimed to determine the relationship of malnutrition, inflammation, abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) progression with survival in hemodialysis (HD) patients.

Methods

Malnutrition and inflammation were defined as low serum albumin (< 40 g/L) and high hs-CRP (≥ 28.57 nmol/L), respectively. We defined AAC progression as an increase in AAC score using lateral lumbar radiography at both baseline and one year later. Patients were followed up to investigate the impact of AAC progression on all-cause and cardiovascular mortality.

Results

AAC progressed in 54.6% of 97 patients (mean age 58.2±11.7 years, 41.2% men) at 1-year follow-up. Hypoalbuminemia (Odds ratio 3.296; 95% confidence interval 1.178–9.222), hs-CRP (1.561; 1.038–2.348), low LDL-cholesterol (0.976; 0.955–0.996), and the presence of baseline AAC (10.136; 3.173–32.386) were significant risk factors for AAC progression. During the mean follow-up period of 5.9 years, 38(39.2%) patients died and 27(71.0%) of them died of cardiovascular disease. Multivariate Cox regression analysis adjusted for old age, diabetes, cardiovascular history, and hypoalbuminemia determined that AAC progression was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality (2.294; 1.054–4.994).

Conclusions

Malnutrition and inflammation were significantly associated with AAC progression. AAC progression is more informative than AAC presence at a given time-point as a predictor of all-cause mortality in patients on maintenance HD.

Prevalence and risk factors for vascular calcification in Chinese patients receiving dialysis: baseline results from a prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

With limited data available on calcification prevalence in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients on dialysis, the China Dialysis Calcification Study (CDCS) determined the prevalence of vascular/valvular calcification (VC) and association of risk factors in Chinese patients with prevalent hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD).

METHODS

CKD patients undergoing HD/PD for ≥6 months were enrolled. Prevalence data for calcification and medical history were documented at baseline. Coronary artery calcification (CAC) was assessed by electron beam or multi-slice computed tomography (EBCT/MSCT), abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) by lateral lumbar radiography, and cardiac valvular calcification (ValvC) by echocardiography. Serum phosphorus, calcium, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), and 25-hydroxyvitamin D and FGF-23 were evaluated. A logistic regression model was used to evaluate the association between risk factors and VC.

RESULTS

Of 1,497 patients, 1,493 (78.3% HD, 21.7% PD) had ≥1 baseline calcification image (final analysis cohort, FAC) and 1,423 (78.8% HD, 21.2% PD) had baseline calcification data complete (BCDC). Prevalence of VC was 77.4% in FAC (80.8% HD, 65.1% PD, p < .001) and 77.5% in BCDC (80.7% HD, 65.8% PD). The proportion of BCDC patients with single-site calcification were 20% for CAC, 4.3% for AAC, and 4.3% for cardiac valvular calcification (ValvC), respectively. Double site calcifications were 23.4% for CAC and AAC, 6.5% for CAC and ValvC, and 1.1% for AAC and ValvC, respectively. In total, 17.9% patients had calcification at all three sites.

CONCLUSIONS

High prevalence of total VC in Chinese CKD patients will supplement current knowledge, which is mostly limited, contributing in creating awareness and optimizing VC management.

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention versus Coronary Artery Bypass Graft in Acute Coronary Syndrome patients with Renal Dysfunction

ACS patients with renal dysfunction tend to have a poorer prognosis than those with normal renal function. This retrospective cohort study was performed using The Second Drug-Eluting Stent Impact on Revascularization Registry, a retrospective registry, to evaluate the time-dependent relative risk of revascularization strategies in ACS patients with renal dysfunction. The study demonstrated that the short-term MACCE rate was lower after PCI than CABG. However, there was no significant difference in long-term MACCE rate. Subgroup analyses based on the degree of renal dysfunction resulted in similar findings. The revascularization strategy was identified as a time-dependent covariate by the time-dependent Cox model, and the regression coefficient was ‘−1.124 + 0.344 × ln (time + 1)’. For the entire object group and the separate subgroups, PCI was initially associated with a lower hazard for MACCE than CABG after revascularization, then the hazard ratio increases with time. In conclusion, the hazard ratio for MACCE in PCI relative to CABG is time-dependent. PCI tends to have a lower risk for MACCE than CABG in the short-term, then the hazard ratio increases with time.

Deterioration of Cerebral Oxygenation by Aortic Arch Calcification Progression in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background

Near-infrared spectroscopy revealed that the regional saturation of oxygen (rSO₂) in cerebral tissue is lower in hemodialysis (HD) patients than in healthy subjects. However, no study has examined the changes in cerebral oxygenation by aortic arch calcification (AAC) progression in HD patients.

Methods

A total of 104 HD patients were divided into four groups by AAC grade determined using chest radiography: 23 patients at grade 0, 24 at grade 1, 30 at grade 2, and 27 at grade 3. Differences in clinical parameters, including cerebral rSO₂, among AAC grades were investigated and atherosclerotic parameters affecting cerebral rSO₂ values were identified.

Results

Cerebral rSO₂ significantly decreased as AAC progressed (AAC grade 3 versus grade 0, p < 0.01 versus grade 1, p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed using parameters with p values < 0.20 in univariate analysis between cerebral rSO₂ values less than the mean and atherosclerotic parameters. AAC grades 2 and 3, serum phosphate level, and history of smoking were factors associated with the cerebral rSO₂ decrease.

Conclusions

Cerebral rSO₂ significantly decreased as AAC progressed and was independently associated with higher AAC grade, serum phosphate level, and history of smoking.

Blood Calcification Propensity, Cardiovascular Events, and Survival in Patients Receiving Hemodialysis in the EVOLVE Trial

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Patients receiving hemodialysis are at risk of cardiovascular events. A novel blood test (T50 test) determines the individual calcification propensity of blood.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS

T50 was determined in 2785 baseline serum samples of patients receiving hemodialysis enrolled in the Evaluation of Cinacalcet Therapy to Lower Cardiovascular Events (EVOLVE) trial and the T50 results were related to patient outcomes.

RESULTS

Serum albumin, bicarbonate, HDL cholesterol, and creatinine were the main factors positively/directly and phosphate was the main factor negatively/inversely associated with T50. The primary composite end point (all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction [MI], hospitalization for unstable angina, heart failure, or peripheral vascular event [PVE]) was reached in 1350 patients after a median follow-up time of 619 days. After adjustments for confounding, a lower T50 was independently associated with a higher risk of the primary composite end point as a continuous measure (hazard ratio [HR] per 1 SD lower T50, 1.15; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.08 to 1.22; P<0.001). Furthermore, lower T50 was associated with a higher risk in all-cause mortality (HR per 1 SD lower T50, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.17; P=0.001), MI (HR per 1 SD lower T50, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.19 to 1.60; P<0.001), and PVE (HR per 1 SD lower T50, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.42; P=0.01). T50 improved risk prediction (integrated discrimination improvement and net reclassification improvement, P<0.001 and P=0.001) of the primary composite end point.

CONCLUSIONS

Blood calcification propensity was independently associated with the primary composite end point, all-cause mortality, MI, and PVE in the EVOLVE study and improved risk prediction. Prospective trials should clarify whether T50-guided therapies improve outcomes.

Coronary artery calcification in CKD-5D patients is tied to adverse cardiac function and increased mortality

Background: Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is common in patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis (CKD-5D) and is an important predictor of mortality. However, cardiac functional links between CAC and mortality have not been well established. This study tested the hypothesis that CAC increases mortality by adversely affecting cardiac function. Methods: Patients were recruited from 37 regional dialysis centers. 2-D and Doppler echocardiographic analyses were performed, and CAC was measured using 64-slice computed tomography. Relationships between CAC and echocardiographic measures of left ventricular (LV) function were analyzed. Survival was assessed with median follow-up of 37 months. Results: There were 157 patients: 59% male, 46% Caucasian, 48% diabetic. Median age was 55 years, and median duration of CKD-5D was 45 months. Agatston CAC scores > 100 were found in 69% of patients, with 51% having a score > 400. CAC was associated with measures of LV systolic and diastolic function (global longitudinal strain (GLS; rho = 0.270, p = 0.004)), peak LV systolic velocity (rho = –0.259, p = 0.004), and estimate of LV filling pressure (E:E’; rho = 0.286, p = 0.001). Multivariate regression confirmed these relationships after adjustment for age, gender, LV ejection fraction, and coronary artery disease. Valvular calcification varied linearly with CAC (p < 0.05). Both LV diastolic and systolic functional measures were significant predictors of mortality, the strongest of which was LV diastolic dysfunction. Conclusions: These findings show a link between CAC, cardiac function, and mortality in CKD-5D. LV diastolic function (E:E’), peak LV systolic velocity, and GLS are independent predictors of mortality. Valvular calcification may be an important marker of CAC in CKD-5D. These effects on cardiac function likely explain the high mortality with CKD-5D and describe a potentially-valuable role for echocardiography in the routine management of these patients.

Current outcomes of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting: evidence from real world practice

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) can be performed conventionally using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and aortic clamping or on a beating heart (BH) without the use of CPB, the so-called off-pump CABG. Some surgeons, who are proponents of off-pump CABG, preferentially use this technique for the majority of operations, whereas others use it only in certain situations which warrant avoidance of CPB. Ever since the conception of off-pump CABG, the never-ending debate about which technique of CABG is safe and efficacious continues to date. Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been conducted that have either favored on-pump CABG or have failed to show a significant difference in outcomes between the two techniques. However, these RCTs have been fraught with claims that they do not represent the majority of patients undergoing CABG in real world practice. Therefore, assessment of the benefits and drawbacks of each technique through observational and registry studies would be more representative of patients encountered in daily practice. The present review examines various retrospective studies and meta-analyses of observational studies that compare the early and long-term outcomes of off- and on-pump CABG, which assesses their safety and efficacy. Additionally, their outcomes in older patients, females, and those with diabetes mellitus, renal dysfunction, presence of ascending aortic disease, and/or acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have also been discussed separately. The general consensus is that early results of off-pump CABG are comparable to or in some cases better than on-pump CABG. However, on-pump CABG provides a survival benefit in the long term according to a majority of publications in literature.

Aortic arch calcification and risk of cardiovascular or all-cause and mortality in dialysis patients: A meta-analysis

Studies on aortic arch calcification (AAC) and mortality risk in maintenance dialysis patients have yielded conflicting findings. We conducted this meta-analysis to investigate the association between the presence of AAC and cardiovascular or all-cause and mortality risk in maintenance dialysis patients. Observational studies evaluating baseline AAC and cardiovascular or all-cause mortality risk in maintenance dialysis patients were searched through the PubMed and Embase, CNKI, VIP and Wanfang databases until January 2016. A total of 8 studies with 3,256 dialysis patients were identified. Compared with patients without AAC, the presence of AAC was associated with greater risk of cardiovascular mortality (hazard risk [HR] 2.30; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.78-2.97) and all-cause mortality (HR 1.44; 95% CI 1.19-1.75). Subgroup analyses indicated that the pooled HR for cardiovascular and all-cause mortality was 2.31 (95% CI 1.57-3.40) and 1.45 (95% CI 1.08-1.96) for the grade 2/3 AAC. Peritoneal dialysis patients with AAC had greater cardiovascular (HR 3.93 vs. HR 2.10) and all-cause mortality (HR 2.36 vs. HR 1.33) than hemodialysis patients. The AAC appears to be independently associated with excessive cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in maintenance dialysis patients. Regular follow-up AAC might be helpful to stratify mortality risk in dialysis patients.

Both pelvic radiography and lateral abdominal radiography correlate well with coronary artery calcification measured by computed tomography in hemodialysis patients: A cross-sectional study

Introduction Lateral abdominal radiograph is suggested as an alternative to coronary artery computed tomography (CT) in evaluating vascular calcification. Simple scoring systems including pelvic radiograph scoring and abdominal scoring system were utilized to study their correlation with coronary artery calcification. Methods In 106 MHD patients, coronary artery CT, lateral abdominal, and pelvic radiograph were taken. The Agatston scoring system was applied to evaluate the degree of coronary artery calcification which was categorized according to Agatston coronary artery calcification score (CACS) ≥ 30, ≥100, ≥400, and ≥1000. Abdominal aortic calcification was scored by 4-scored and 24-scored systems. Pelvic artery calcification was scored by a 4-scored system. Sensitivities and specificities of abdominal aortic calcification scores and pelvic artery calcification scores to predict different categories of coronary artery calcification were analyzed. We studied the diagnostic capability of abdominal aorta calcification and pelvic artery calcification to predict different CACS categories by calculating likelihood ratios. Receiver operator characteristic curves were used to determine the area under the curve for each of these testing procedures. Findings The prevalence was 48(45.3%), 15 (14.2%), 11 (10.4%), 11 (10.4%), and 11 (10.4%) for CACs > 0, ≥30, ≥100, ≥400, and ≥1000, respectively. The degree of CACs was positively correlated with patient age, prevalence of diabetes, abdominal aorta scores, and pelvic calcification scores. The areas under the curves for different CACS by all X-ray scoring systems were above 0.70 except pelvic 4-scored system for diagnosing CACS ≥30, without significant difference (P > 0.05). Discussion Both lateral abdominal and pelvic plain radiographs were demonstrated as acceptable alternatives to CT in evaluating vascular calcification.

Arteriosclerosis and vascular calcification: causes, clinical assessment and therapy

BACKGROUND

Arteriosclerosis is a pathological, structural (media vascular calcification) and physiological (modified vascular smooth vessel cells; increased arterial stiffness) alteration of the vessel wall. Through improved assessment methods (functional and imaging), it has become a well-known phenomenon in recent decades. However, its clinical importance was underestimated until recently.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Currently available English-speaking data about conditions/diseases associated with arteriosclerosis, its clinical sequels, available diagnostic procedures and therapeutic modalities were reviewed and summarized.

RESULTS

In recent decades, emerging data have brought about a better understanding of causes and consequences of arteriosclerosis and highlight its growing clinical impact.

CONCLUSION

Although arteriosclerosis showed an independent clinical impact on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, especially in patients with chronic kidney disease/end-stage renal disease (CKD/ESRD) and diabetes mellitus, convincing clinical therapy concepts are not available until now. The establishment of novel therapeutic strategies derived from basic research is strongly needed.

Does off-pump coronary artery bypass confer any advantage in patients with end-stage renal failure? A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are often excluded from trials comparing off and on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Thus data in this cohort is limited to small retrospective studies. Hence we compared the adverse clinical events and outcome in patients with ESRD undergoing off (OPCABG) and on-pump surgery (ONCABG).

METHODS

Pubmed, Scopus and Web of Science were searched (inception - June 2013) to identify studies comparing clinical results of OPCABG and ONCABG in dialysis dependent patients. A random effect inverse variance weighted meta-analysis was conducted. Results are presented as risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals; p<0.05 is significant.

RESULT

Ten retrospective studies (2762 OPCABG and 11310 ONCABG) fulfilled criteria and were pooled. Patients undergoing off-pump surgery were less than 100 in most of the articles. Early mortality [OPCABG (8.4%); ONCABG (10.4%)] was comparable [RR 0.80(0.51-1.17); p=0.35; I(2)=30%]. Re-exploration for bleeding [RR 0.81(0.47-1.39); p=0.44] and blood transfusion [RR 0.79(0.57-1.08); p=0.14] were also comparable. While patients undergoing off-pump surgery were extubated earlier (p<0.01), other post-operative events like stroke (p=0.34) and atrial fibrillation (p=0.10) were similar. Mid-term survival (three to five years) was also comparable.

CONCLUSION

Patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting demonstrate comparable results irrespective of method. While available data is limited to retrospective studies, we failed to demonstrate any significant advantage for performing OPCABG in this group of patients.

Individualization of dialysate calcium concentration according to baseline pre-dialysis serum calcium

BACKGROUND

A positive calcium balance may contribute to vascular calcification, while a negative balance increases iPTH. We explored the impact of different dialysate calcium concentrations on bone and mineral metabolism parameters according to pre-dialysis serum calcium levels.

RESULTS

Fifty-six hemodialysis patients were dialyzed with 3.0 or 2.5 mEq/l dialysate [calcium] in a crossover study of two weeks. Bone mineral metabolites were measured prior to and following the hemodialysis session. A 3.0 mEq/l dialysate [calcium] increased more post-dialysis total calcium and ionized calcium than 2.5 mEq/l dialysate [calcium]. The mildest dialysis-induced changes in calcium and PTH were observed in patients with pre-dialysis serum calcium <8.75 mg/dl dialyzed with 2.5 mEq/l dialysate [calcium] and in patients with pre-dialysis serum calcium >9.15 mg/dl dialyzed with 3.0 mEq/l calcium dialysate.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the individualization of dialysate calcium concentration according to baseline pre-dialysis serum calcium may prevent major excursions in post-dialysis serum calcium and iPTH levels.

SHORT SUMMARY

High calcium dialysate may increase serum calcium in hemodialysis patients, while low dialysate calcium may increase PTH. Individualization of dialysate calcium according to predialysis serum calcium levels may prevent or decrease unwanted excursions of both serum calcium and PTH.

Abdominal aortic calcification is not superior over other vascular calcification in predicting mortality in hemodialysis patients: a retrospective observational study

BACKGROUND

KDIGO (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes) guidelines recommend that a lateral abdominal radiograph should be performed to assess vascular calcification (VC) in dialysis patients. However, abdominal aortic calcification is a prevalent finding, and it remains unclear whether other anatomical areas of VC can predict mortality more accurately.

METHODS

A total of 217 maintenance hemodialysis patients were enrolled at the Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital between July 2010 and March 2011. Radiographs of the abdomen, pelvis and hands were evaluated by a radiologist to evaluate the presence of VC. The correlation between different areas of VC and all-cause or cardiovascular mortality was analyzed using univariate and multivariate models.

RESULTS

The prevalence of VC was 70.0% (152 patients), and most had abdominal aortic calcification (90.1%). During 26 ± 7 months of follow-up, 37 patients died. The VC score was independently associated with patient mortality. VC observed on abdominal radiographs (abdominal aortic calcification) was associated with all-cause mortality in models adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors (HR, 4.69; 95%CI, 1.60-13.69) and dialysis factors (HR, 3.38; 95%CI, 1.18-9.69). VC in the pelvis or hands was associated with all-cause mortality in the model adjusted for dialysis factors. When three combinations of VC in different radiographs were included in models, the presence of abdominal VC was only significantly associated with all-cause mortality in the integrated model. VC in the abdomen and pelvis was associated with all-cause mortality in the model adjusted for cardiovascular factors and the integrated model, but neither was significantly associated with cardiovascular mortality. VC in all radiographs was significantly associated with a more than 6-fold risk of all-cause mortality and a more than 5-fold risk of cardiovascular mortality compared to patients without VC.

CONCLUSIONS

VC in different arteries as shown on radiographs is associated with different levels of risk for mortality. The lateral abdominal radiograph may not be superior to other radiographs for predicting patient outcomes. Further research is needed to elucidate the effects of difference burdens of VC on patient outcomes.