Study on the Prevalence of Vascular Calcification in Different Types of Arteries and Influencing Factors in Maintenance Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

Deep learning-based prediction of coronary artery calcium scoring in hemodialysis patients using radial artery calcification

OBJECTIVE

This study used random forest model to explore the feasibility of radial artery calcification in prediction of coronary artery calcification in hemodialysis patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We enrolled hemodialysis patients and performed ultrasound examinations on their radial arteries to evaluate the calcification status using a calcification index. All involved patients received coronary artery computed tomography scans to generate coronary artery calcification scores (CACS). Clinical variables were collected from all patients. We constructed both a random forest model and a logistic regression model to predict CACS. Logistic regression model was used to identify the risk factors of radial artery calcification.

RESULTS

One hundred eighteen patients were included in our analysis. In random forest model, the radial artery calcification index, age, serum C-reactive protein, body mass index (BMI), diabetes, and hypertension history were related to CACS based on the average decrease of the Gini coefficient. The random forest model achieved a sensitivity of 76.9%, specificity of 75.0%, and area under receiver operating characteristic of 0.869, while the logistic regression model achieved a sensitivity of 75.2%, specificity of 68.7%, and area under receiver operating characteristic of 0.742 in prediction of CACS. Sex, BMI index, smoking history, hypertension history, diabetes history, and serum total calcium were all the risk factors related to radial artery calcification.

CONCLUSIONS

A random forest model based on radial artery calcification could be used to predict CACS in hemodialysis patients, providing a potential method for rapid screening and prediction of coronary artery calcification.

Establishment and evaluation of a nomogram prediction model for the risk of vascular calcification in stage 5 chronic kidney disease patients

Vascular calcification (VC) is a common complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD) that has a detrimental effect on patients' survival and prognosis. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a practical and reliable prediction model for VC in CKD5 patients. The medical records of 544 CKD5 patients were reviewed retrospectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent risk factors for vascular calcification in patients with CKD5 and then created a nomogram prediction model. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), Hosmer-Lemeshow test, and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to assess model performance. The patients were split into groups with normal and high serum uric acid levels, and the factors influencing these levels were investigated. Age, BUN, SUA, P and TG were independent risk factors for vascular calcification in CKD5 patients in the modeling group (P < 0.05). In the internal validation, the results of model showed that the AUC was 0.917. No significant divergence between the predicted probability of the nomogram and the actual incidence rate (x2 = 5.406, P = 0.753) was revealed by the calibration plot and HL test, thus confirming that the calibration was satisfactory. The external validation also showed good discrimination (AUC = 0.973). The calibration chart and HL test also demonstrated good consistency. Besides, the correlation analysis of serum uric acid levels in all CKD5 patients revealed that elevated uric acid levels may be related to gender, BUN, P, and TG.

Calcification detection on upper extremity arteries: a comparison of ultrasonic and X-ray methods

Background

Vascular calcification (VC) has been observed in patients with hemodialysis, whereas few studies have investigated calcification in the upper extremity vasculature. Both ultrasound and X-ray are used to investigate the calcification of arteries in patients. However, there is a lack of data on the consistency between these two methods. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of VC in the radial and ulnar arteries of hemodialysis patients and investigate the detection consistency in VC between ultrasound and X-ray.

Methods

Ultrasound and X-ray examinations were performed in the radial and ulnar arteries of both the left and right upper extremities of 40 patients on hemodialysis. The calcification status of arteries was evaluated by the calcification index from ultrasound and X-ray respectively. Clinical variables of patients were collected from all the involved patients.

Results

Of the 40 patients, VC was detected in 31 patients by ultrasound, while X-ray detected VC in 22 patients. Compared to ultrasound assessment, X-ray assessment was 73.21% sensitive but only 66.35% specific with a positive predictive value of 53.95% for detecting calcifications in the radial or ulnar artery. The level of agreement between ultrasound and X-ray results was fair. In addition, our data showed that more ulnar arteries had VCs than the corresponding radial arteries.

Conclusion

Ultrasound is more sensitive in detecting the presence of calcified atherosclerotic lesions. Ultrasound and X-ray exhibited fair consistency. Ultrasound screening for upper extremity radial and ulnar arteries in hemodialysis patients may deserve attention to explore its clinical significance.

Relationship between serum parathyroid hormone levels and abdominal aortic calcification in patients starting hemodialysis who have never taken calcium tablets, calcitriol, or vitamin D analogs

Background

Vascular calcification (VC) and secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) are important causes of the high incidence of cardiovascular events in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. The relationship between parathyroid hormone (PTH) and VC is very complex. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between PTH levels and abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) in patients starting hemodialysis who had not received calcium tablets, calcium-containing phosphorus binders, calcitriol, or vitamin D analogs.

Methods

Seventy-one patients were included. Latero-lateral X-ray lumbar radiography, serum intact PTH (iPTH) levels, and predialysis biochemical parameters were obtained. The degree of AAC was evaluated according to the methods described previously by Kauppila et al.

Results

We found that there was a strong negative correlation between serum PTH and AAC (Spearman’s rho −0.76, p < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that low serum PTH level could predict the presence and extent of AAC (area under the curve values were 0.9013 [p < 0.0001] and 0.780 [p = 0.0041], respectively).

Conclusions

Our results indicate that serum PTH level is significantly negatively correlated with AAC within a certain concentration range in patients starting hemodialysis who had not received calcium tablets, calcium-containing phosphorus binders, calcitriol, or vitamin D analogs.

Epigenetics: a new warrior against cardiovascular calcification, a forerunner in modern lifestyle diseases

Arterial and aortic valve calcifications are the most prevalent pathophysiological conditions among all the reported cases of cardiovascular calcifications. It increases with several risk factors like age, hypertension, external stimuli, mechanical forces, lipid deposition, malfunction of genes and signaling pathways, enhancement of naturally occurring calcium inhibitors, and many others. Modern-day lifestyle is affected by numerous environmental factors and harmful toxins that impair our health rather than providing benefits. Applying the combinatorial approach or targeting the exact mechanism could be a new strategy for drug designing or attenuating the severity of calcification. Most of the non-communicable diseases are life-threatening; thus, altering the phenotype and not the genotype may reveal the gateway for fighting with upcoming hurdles. Overall, this review summarizes the reason behind the generation of arterial and aortic valve calcification and its related signaling pathways and also the detrimental effects of calcification. In addition, the individual process of epigenetics and how the implementation of this process becomes a novel approach for diminishing the harmful effect of calcification are discussed. Noteworthy, as epigenetics is linked with genetics and environmental factors necessitates further clinical trials for complete and in-depth understanding and application of this strategy in a more specific and prudent manner.

Vascular Calcification and the Gut and Blood Microbiome in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients on Peritoneal Dialysis: A Pilot Study

Vascular calcification (VC) is a frequent condition in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and a well-established risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Gut dysbiosis may contribute to CVD and inflammation in CKD patients. Nonetheless, the role of gut and blood microbiomes in CKD-associated VC remains unknown. Therefore, this pilot study aimed to explore the link between gut and blood microbiomes and VC in CKD patients on peritoneal dialysis (CKD-PD). Our results showed relative changes in specific taxa between CKD-PD patients with and without VC, namely Coprobacter, Coprococcus 3, Lactobacillus, and Eubacterium eligens group in the gut, and Cutibacterium, Pajaroellobacter, Devosia, Hyphomicrobium, and Pelomonas in the blood. An association between VC and all-cause mortality risk in CKD-PD patients was also observed, and patients with higher mortality risk corroborate the changes of Eubacterium eligens in the gut and Devosia genus in the blood. Although we did not find differences in uremic toxins, intestinal translocation markers, and inflammatory parameters among CKD-PD patients with and without VC, soluble CD14 (sCD14), a nonspecific marker of monocyte activation, positively correlated with VC severity. Therefore, gut Eubacterium eligens group, blood Devosia, and circulating sCD14 should be further explored as biomarkers for VC, CVD, and mortality risk in CKD.

Vascular Calcification in Chronic Kidney Disease: An Update and Perspective

Chronic kidney disease is a devastating condition resulting from irreversible loss of nephron numbers and function and leading to end-stage renal disease and mineral disorders. Vascular calcification, an ectopic deposition of calcium-phosphate salts in blood vessel walls and heart valves, is an independent risk factor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in chronic kidney disease. Moreover, aging and related metabolic disorders are essential risk factors for chronic kidney disease and vascular calcification. Marked progress has been recently made in understanding and treating vascular calcification in chronic kidney disease. However, there is a paucity of systematic reviews summarizing this progress, and investigating unresolved issues is warranted. In this systematic review, we aimed to overview the underlying mechanisms of vascular calcification in chronic kidney diseases and discuss the impact of chronic kidney disease on the pathophysiology of vascular calcification. Additionally, we summarized potential clinical diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic applications for vascular calcification with chronic kidney disease. This review may offer new insights into the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and therapeutic intervention of vascular calcification.

Low Parathyroid Hormone Versus Secondary Hyperparathyroidism and Survival in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: A Propensity-Matched Analysis

Introduction

Low serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) and secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) are very common in patients undergoing hemodialysis. However, it remains unclear which of these has a lower mortality.

Objective

In this study, we compared outcomes between hemodialysis patients with low PTH and those with SHPT.

Methods

This was a multi-center, retrospective, matched cohort study. Median intact PTH (iPTH) was used as the cutoff for allocating participants to low PTH (iPTH<100 pg/mL) and SHPT groups (iPTH ≥600 pg/mL). Sex, diabetes, age, and dialysis vintage were matched between the groups. The primary outcome was all-cause death at 72 months.

Results

The study cohort comprised 2282 patients (1166 in each study group). Prior to matching, the primary outcome occurred in 429/1166 patients (36.79%) in the low PTH group and in 284/1116 (25.45%) in the SHPT group. There were no significant differences in all-cause death between the groups according to multivariable Cox regression (P=0.423). The hazard ratio for low PTH versus SHPT was 1.08 (95% confidence interval, 0.90-1.30). Propensity matching created 619 pairs of patients. Baseline characteristics, including age, sex, diabetes, and dialysis vintage were comparable between the groups. The primary outcome occurred in 195/619 patients (31.50%) in the low PTH group and in 193/619 (31.18%) in the SHPT group. There were no significant differences in all-cause death between the groups according to multivariable Cox regression (P=0.43). The adjusted hazard ratio for low PTH versus SHPT was 1.10 (95% confidence interval, 0.87-1.39).

Conclusions

Hemodialysis patients with low PTH have similar all-cause death rates to the rates for those with SHPT.

Circular RNA circSmoc1-2 regulates vascular calcification by acting as a miR-874-3p sponge in vascular smooth muscle cells

Vascular calcification (VC), or calcium deposition inside the blood vessels, is common in patients with atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease. Although several treatments are available to reduce calcification, the incidence of VC continues to rise. Recently, there have been several reports describing the regulation of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in various diseases. However, the role of circRNAs in VC has not yet been fully explored. Here, we investigated the function of circSmoc1-2, one of the circRNAs generated from the Smoc1 gene, which is downregulated in response to VC. CircSmoc1-2 is localized primarily to the cytoplasm and is resistant to exonuclease digestion. Inhibition of circSmoc1-2 worsens VC, while overexpression of circSmoc1-2 reduces VC, suggesting that circSmoc1-2 can prevent calcification. We went on to investigate the mechanism of circSmoc1-2 as a microRNA sponge and noted that miR-874-3p, the predicted target of circSmoc1-2, promotes VC, while overexpression of circSmoc1-2 reduces VC by suppressing miR-874-3p. Additionally, we identified the potential mRNA target of miR-874-3p as Adam19. In conclusion, we revealed that the circSmoc1-2/miR-874-3p/Adam19 axis regulates VC, suggesting that circSmoc1-2 may be a novel therapeutic target in the treatment of VC.

Dexamethasone is Associated With a Lower Risk of the Progression of Thoracic Aortic Calcification in Breast Cancer Survivors

Background and Purpose: Breast cancer survivors have an increased cardiovascular risk, and vascular calcification is the pathological basis of cardiovascular disease. Some factors that affect the progression of thoracic aortic calcification (TAC) in survivors are unclear, and this study aims to explore the relationship between dexamethasone or radiotherapy and the progression of TAC in survivors.

Materials and Methods: This study included 189 female patients with breast cancer, and they were divided into the progression and non-progression TAC groups. Radiation or dexamethasone doses, and related laboratory parameters were collected.

Results: The cumulative dose of dexamethasone was higher [40 (10–180) mg versus 180 (80–270) mg, p < 0.001], and the cycle was longer [4 (1–6) cycles versus 6 (4–8) cycles, p < 0.001] in the non-progression TAC group. The cumulative dose (r = −0.303, p < 0.001) and cycle (r = −0.357, p < 0.001) of dexamethasone were negatively correlated with the level of increased TAC Agatston scores in survivors. Logistic regression analysis showed that dexamethasone was a protective factor for the progression of TAC (p = 0.029, odds ratio = 0.263, 95% confidence interval = 0.08–0.872). However, there wasn’t significant relationship between radiotherapy, radiation dose, follow-up time and the progression of TAC (all p > 0.05). In addition, aorta volume was positively correlated with the level of increased TAC Agatston scores in intensity modulated radiation therapy (r = 0.460, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Dexamethasone is associated with a lower risk of the progression of TAC in breast cancer survivors, and there’s no correlation between radiotherapy and progression of TAC, but the aorta volume may be a predictor of the severity of progression of TAC.

From the Old, the Best: Parathyroidectomy in the Management of Soft-Tissue and Vascular Calcification in Patients with Chronic Renal Disease

Introduction. Bone mineral disease in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD-MBD) is a clinical syndrome involving bone, biochemical changes, and extraosseous calcification. These complications increase morbidity and mortality. Prevalence reports are rare. Case Report. This case shows a young woman on peritoneal dialysis (PD) for 10 years with severe secondary hyperparathyroidism and soft-tissue calcifications in the hands, pelvis, and right knee, as well as severe vascular calcification, managed with calcimimetics without success. We decided to perform subtotal parathyroidectomy (STPTX). Three months after surgery, she had satisfactory evolution, despite notable hungry bone disease, without bone pain or functional limitation and almost no calcifications. Discussion. The benefit of hemodialysis has been shown with better volume management and improvement of calcium/phosphate products. STPTX allowed biochemical control and calcification improvement, with an evident better quality of life for our patient. Therapeutic alternatives need to be tailored to the patient's characteristics in the calcimimetics era.

Hypertriglyceridemia is a risk factor for treatment failure in patients with peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis

OBJECTIVE

Disorders of triglycerides (TG) are common in patients with peritoneal dialysis (PD). Hypertriglyceridemia has been demonstrated in various infections. The association between triglycerides and the outcomes of peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis (PDRP) was investigated in this study.

METHODS

We retrospectively investigated patients with PDRP from January 1, 2013 to October 31, 2020. Hypertriglyceridemia was defined as triglycerides ≥ 1.7 mmol/L. PDRP episodes were divided into two groups: hypertriglyceridemia and normal levels of triglycerides. The clinical and laboratory baseline data of the two groups were collected and compared. The association between triglycerides and treatment failure was analyzed by logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Ninety episodes in 66 patients were recorded in our center. Hypertriglyceridemia occurred in 38% (34/90) of episodes. Twenty-five episodes were not cured in 90 episodes (27.8%, 25/90). The levels of thrombocytes, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and glycated hemoglobin, were higher in hypertriglyceridemia episodes of PDRP at baseline. The bacterial classification was different between elevated triglyceride group and normal triglyceride group. Adjusted for age, duration of dialysis, residual renal function, diabetes, thrombocytes, hs-CRP, serum albumin, cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), glycated hemoglobin and spectrum of bacteria, hypertriglyceridemia were associated significantly with treatment failure of PDRP in our study (OR 3.416, 95% CI 1.223-9.540 p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Hypertriglyceridemia at baseline was an independent risk factor for treatment failure of PDRP.

Aortic Arch Calcification and Cardiomegaly Are Associated with Overall and Cardiovascular Mortality in Hemodialysis Patients

Patients with end-stage renal disease have a higher risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In this study, we investigated the predictive ability of a combination of cardiothoracic ratio (CTR) and aortic arch calcification (AoAC) for overall and cardiovascular mortality in patients receiving hemodialysis. We also evaluated the predictive power of AoAC and CTR for clinical outcomes. A total of 365 maintenance hemodialysis patients were included, and AoAC and CTR were measured using chest radiography at enrollment. We stratified the patients into four groups according to a median AoAC score of three and CTR of 50%. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to identify the risk factors of mortality. The predictive performance of the model for clinical outcomes was assessed using the χ2 test. Multivariable analysis showed that, compared to the AoAC < 3 and CTR < 50% group, the AoAC ≥ 3 and CTR < 50% group (hazard ratio [HR], 4.576; p < 0.001), and AoAC ≥ 3 and CTR ≥ 50% group (HR, 5.912; p < 0.001) were significantly associated with increased overall mortality. In addition, the AoAC < 3 and CTR ≥ 50% (HR, 3.806; p = 0.017), AoAC ≥ 3 and CTR < 50% (HR, 4.993; p = 0.002), and AoAC ≥ 3 and CTR ≥ 50% (HR, 8.614; p < 0.001) groups were significantly associated with increased cardiovascular mortality. Furthermore, adding AoAC and CTR to the basic model improved the predictive ability for overall and cardiovascular mortality. The patients who had a high AoAC score and cardiomegaly had the highest overall and cardiovascular mortality among the four groups. Furthermore, adding AoAC and CTR improved the predictive ability for overall and cardiovascular mortality in the hemodialysis patients.

Relationship between Vascular Calcification, Protein-Energy Wasting Syndrome, and Sarcopenia in Maintenance Automated Peritoneal Dialysis

Vascular calcifications affect 80% to 90% of chronic kidney disease patients and are a predictive factor of cardiovascular mortality. Sarcopenia and protein-energy wasting syndrome are also associated with mortality. The aim was to assess the relationship between vascular calcification, sarcopenia, and protein-energy wasting syndrome (PEW) in automated peritoneal dialysis patients. Fifty-one maintenance automated peritoneal dialysis patients were included (27 were male, mean age 39 ± 14 years). Vascular calcification was assessed based on abdomen, pelvis, and hand radiographs. Sarcopenia was assessed with bioimpedance analysis and a hand grip strength test. The Malnutrition–Inflammation Score and the presence of PEW were also assessed. Vascular calcification was present in 21 patients (41.2%). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that age (p = 0.001), Malnutrition–Inflammation Score (p = 0.022), PEW (p = 0.049), sarcopenia (p = 0.048), and diabetes (p = 0.010) were associated with vascular calcification. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age (p = 0.006) was the only variable associated independently with vascular calcification. In conclusion, there is association between vascular calcification, PEW, and sarcopenia in patients with maintenance automated peritoneal dialysis. These associations are not independent of age. This demonstrates the importance of nutritional status in the prevention of vascular calcification.

Elucidating the relationship between nutrition indices and coronary artery calcification in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are common in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients, and vascular calcification is associated with the incidence of CVD. Malnourished MHD patients are particularly prone to CVD events. Thus far, there is no clear explanation for the relationship of nutrition status with vascular calcification; therefore, we investigated the relationship between malnutrition and vascular calcification. One hundred thirty-one patients underwent laboratory testing, assessment of vascular calcification, modified quantitative subjective global assessment (MQSGA), bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and anthropometric measurements. The patients were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of coronary artery calcification (CAC), and nutritional statuses were compared between the two groups. The MQSGA score was higher in the CAC group (mean 10.9 ± 1.81) than in the no-CAC group (mean 10.2 ± 1.51); in addition, the mean phase angle (PA) value was significantly lower in the CAC group than in the no-CAC group. Stratification according to CAC score showed that age, Kt/V, incidence of valve calcification, incidence of abdominal aortic calcification, MQSGA score, and blood cell mass were related to the severity of CAC. In addition, quartile analysis revealed that MQSGA score and PA value were related to the incidence and severity of vascular calcification. Binary regression analysis showed that MQSGA score, age, hemoglobin level, and high-density lipoprotein level were independent risk factors for dialysis-related CAC. Patients on MHD who exhibited malnutrition were more likely to have vascular calcification, especially CAC. Namely, the higher the MQSGA score, the lower the PA, and the more likely the occurrence of CAC.

Lower Serum Irisin Levels Are Associated with Increased Abdominal Aortic Calcification in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

Introduction

Vascular calcification (VC), with the mechanisms remaining unclear, is closely related with dialysis patients' cardiovascular mortality and all-cause mortality. Irisin is a newly identified myokine. This study aims to evaluate the serum irisin levels of peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients and their relationship with VC.

Methods

This cross-sectional study enrolled stable PD patients in Peking University Third Hospital who were followed for >6 months. We used plain X-ray films of abdomen to quantitatively evaluate VC of abdominal aorta. VC was evaluated by abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) scores, and PD patients were divided into the high AAC score group (AAC score ≥4) and the low AAC score group (AAC score <4). Demographic data and laboratory indexes were collected. Serum irisin concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

A total of 102 PD patients were enrolled in this study, and 52 patients (51.0%) were found to have a high AAC score of ≥4. Age, diabetic mellitus proportion, pulse pressure, hypercalcemia (corrected calcium >2.54 mmol/L) rate, serum ultrasensitive C reactive protein, and AAC scores were significantly higher in the high AAC score group than those of the low AAC score group (p < 0.05). The high AAC score group had lower diastolic blood pressure, serum albumin, and serum carbon dioxide combining power compared with the low AAC score group (p < 0.05). Serum irisin levels of PD patients with a high AAC score were significantly lower than those of PD patients with a low AAC score (109.7 ± 13.1 ng/mL vs. 115.9 ± 10.1 ng/mL, p = 0.010). The multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that serum irisin, diabetic mellitus, serum ultrasensitive C reactive protein, and age were independent factors influencing the occurrence of VC in PD patients.

Conclusion

Our results are the first to provide a clinical evidence of the association between serum irisin and abdominal aortic calcification in PD patients. Lower irisin levels, diabetic mellitus, higher serum ultrasensitive C reactive protein, and older age could be potential predictive factors for VC in PD patients.

The effects of dialysis modalities on the progression of coronary artery calcification in dialysis patients

Background

Hemodialysis (HD) tend to have more hemodynamic changes than peritoneal dialysis (PD), which aggravates inflammation and oxidative stress. Whether HD and PD have different effects on the progression of vascular calcification? Therefore, we produced a study to explore the relationship of dialysis modalities and coronary artery calcification (CAC) progression.

Methods

This was a prospective cohort study. CT scans were performed at enrollment and 2 years later for each patient. Demographic and clinical data were collected. Tobit regression was used to compare delta CAC score between HD and PD patients.

Results

(1) 155 patients were enrolled, including 69 HD and 86 PD patients. (2) The baseline CAC scores were 97 (1, 744) in HD and 95 (0, 324) in PD; the follow-up CAC scores were 343 (6, 1379) in HD and 293 (18, 997) in PD. There were no significant differences in baseline, follow-up and delta CAC scores between 2 groups (P > 0.05). (3) In Tobit regression, after adjusted for variables, there was no significant difference of CAC progression in HD and PD groups (P > 0.05). (4) Logistic regression showed that older age, diabetes and higher time-averaged serum phosphate (P) were associated with faster progression of CAC (P < 0.05), but there was no evidence that HD was associated with faster CAC progression compared with PD (P = 0.879).

Conclusions

There was no evidence that different dialysis modalities have different effect on CAC progression. Old age, DM and higher time-averaged P were associated with fast CAC progression.

Biomarkers of vascular calcification in serum

Over the last decades, the association between vascular calcification (VC) and all-cause/cardiovascular mortality, especially in patients with high atherogenic status, such as those with diabetes and/or chronic kidney disease, has been repeatedly highlighted. For over a century, VC has been noted as a passive, degenerative, aging process without any treatment options. However, during the past decades, studies confirmed that mineralization of the arteries is an active, complex process, similar to bone genesis and formation. The main purpose of this review is to provide an update of the existing biomarkers of VC in serum and develop the various pathogenetic mechanisms underlying the calcification process, including the pivotal roles of matrix Gla protein, osteoprotegerin, bone morphogenetic proteins, fetuin-a, fibroblast growth-factor-23, osteocalcin, osteopontin, osteonectin, sclerostin, pyrophosphate, Smads, fibrillin-1 and carbonic anhydrase II.

Abdominal aortic calcification is superior to other arteries calcification in predicting the mortality in peritoneal dialysis patients - a 8 years cohort study

BACKGROUND

In recent years, there has been a growing concern that abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) has a predictive effect on the prognosis of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). However, whether other vascular calcification (VC) can predict the occurrence of adverse events in patients, and whether it is necessary to assess the calcification of other blood vessels remains controversial. This study aimed to assess VC in different sites using X-ray films, and to investigate the predictive effects of VC at different sites on all-cause mortality and cardiovascular (CV) mortality in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.

METHODS

The data of Radiographs (lateral abdominal plain film, frontal pelvic radiograph and both hands radiograph) were collected to evaluate the calcification of abdominal aorta, iliac artery, femoral artery, radial artery, and finger arteries. Patients' demographic data, clinical characteristics, laboratory data were recorded. The total follow-up period was 8 years, and the time and cause of death were recorded. Survival curves were estimated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. COX regression analysis was used to examine independent predictors of all-cause mortality and CV mortality.

RESULTS

One hundred fifty PD patients were included, a total of 79 patients (52.7%) died at the end of follow-up. After adjusting variables in the multivariate COX regression analysis, AAC was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality in PD patients (HR = 2.089, 95% CI: 1.089-4.042, P = 0.029), and was also an independent predictor of CV mortality (HR = 4.660, 95% CI: 1.852-11.725, P = 0.001). We also found that femoral artery calcification had a predictive effect on all-cause and CV mortality. But the calcification in iliac artery, radial artery, and finger arteries were not independent predictors of patients' all-cause and CV mortality in PD patients.

CONCLUSION

AAC was more common in PD patients and was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality and CV mortality. The femoral artery calcification also can predict the mortality, but the calcification of iliac artery, radial artery, and finger arteries cannot predict the mortality of PD patients.

Different type and dosage of heparin were not associated with the progression of coronary artery calcification in haemodialysis patients

AIM

Several studies have verified that unfractionated heparin (UFH) and low molecular heparin (LWMH) can induce bone loss, and bone mineral density has been inversely associated with vascular calcification in some clinical researches. But few have focused on the relationship between types and dosages of heparin and the progression of vascular calcification. We observed the progression of coronary artery calcification (CAC) in maintenance haemodialysis (MHD) patients who were treated with UFH and LMWH.

METHODS

This was a prospective prevalent cohort study of MHD patients. Computed tomography was performed at enrolment and 2 years after enrolment, and CAC score was obtained. Demographic and clinical data, baseline and time-average laboratory indices were collected. Multiple linear regression and logistic regression were used to estimate the influencing factors of progression of CAC.

RESULTS

In this study, (i) we initially enrolled 69 HD patients, and then 56 patients finished the follow-up. (ii) Among the total 56 patients, 27 patients (48.2%) were treated with UFH, 14 (25.0%) with LMWH and 15 (26.8%) with both. The median baseline CAC scores of three groups (UFH, LMWH and both users) were 91.0 (1.0, 1052.0), 134.0 (0, 1292.0) and 250.5 (27.0, 1139.0), respectively, with no significant difference (P = 0.663); the median CAC progression scores were 42.0 (0, 364.0), 172.0 (7.0, 653.0) and 118.5 (0, 434.0), respectively, with no significant difference (P = 0.660). (iii) Pearson and spearman correlation analysis shown that the progression of CAC was not associated with cumulative dosage of heparin used. (iv) After adjusted for diabetes mellitus, time-averaged intact parathyroid hormone, phosphate and alkaline phosphatase, logistic regression analysis showed using different types of heparin was not an independent risk factor for CAC progression; and multiple linear regression analysis showed that the type of heparin used was not associated with CAC progression.

CONCLUSION

There were no significant differences in the effects of the types and dosages of heparin on CAC progression in patients on haemodialysis.