A comparative analysis of kidney allograft outcomes in steroid use versus steroid discontinuation after basiliximab and ATG induction: A UNOS database study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The relative safety and efficacy of early steroid withdrawal in kidney transplant patients after basiliximab compared to anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) induction therapy is unknown. We aimed to compare kidney allograft outcomes in steroid use versus steroid discontinuation after basiliximab and ATG induction from the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of the UNOS database and included first kidney transplant recipients who received ATG or basiliximab induction therapy. We compared graft and patient outcomes in those who received steroid maintenance and those who were discharged off steroids. RESULTS: Of 106,061 patients, 25,344 (86.7%) received basiliximab induction and were maintained on steroids (B-Sm), and 3,880 (13.3%) were on a steroid-free regimen (B-Sf). Graft failure rate was significantly higher in the B-Sf compared to B-Sm at 1-year (4.1 vs. 1.8%, p < 0.001), 3-year (6.0 vs. 4.3%, p < 0.001) and 5-year follow-up (7.7 vs. 6.4%, p = 0.0004). The mortality rate was significantly higher in B-Sf at 1-year (3.3 vs. 2.4%, p = 0.0005), 3-year (7.6 vs. 5.5%, p < 0.001) and 5-year follow-up (11.5 vs. 8.8%, p < 0.001) when compared to the B-Sm. 76,837 recipients received ATG induction therapy, 51,745 (72.4%) were on steroid maintenance therapy (A-Sm) and 25,092 (32.6%) were on a steroid-free regimen (A-Sf). The graft failure rate was significantly higher in A-Sf compared to A-Sm at 1-year follow-up (2.6 vs. 2.3%, p = 0.0006), however, there was no difference at 3-year (5.0 vs. 5.0%, p = 0.53) or 5-year follow-up (7.2 vs. 8.1%, p = 0.17). There was no difference in mortality rates between A-Sf vs. A-Sm at 1 year (2.5 vs. 2.4%, p = 0.98) and at 3 years (5.5 vs. 5.4%, p = 0.45), respectively. CONCLUSION: Patients who were maintained on steroids after basiliximab induction had better 5-year allograft survival and patient survival compared to those who were not maintained on steroids. However, steroid maintenance conferred no additional benefit after ATG induction and was associated with higher mortality.

Cardiac Outcomes in Isolated Heart and Simultaneous Kidney and Heart Transplants in the United States.

INTRODUCTION: Kidney dysfunction is not uncommon in patients with advanced heart failure. Simultaneous kidney and heart transplants (SKHTs) have gained acceptance as a treatment for patients with end-stage heart failure and severe kidney dysfunction. United States saw a rise of 650% in SKHT from 2000 to 2019. Despite increasing number of SKHT, the selection criteria remain poorly defined and vary across transplant centers. METHODS: We evaluated patient and cardiac allograft survival for SKHT and heart transplant alone (HTA) using the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database. We then performed a subgroup analysis in recipients with post-transplant acute kidney injury requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT) and compared outcomes between SKHT and HTA recipients. RESULTS: Although patient survival was comparable between SKHT and HTA groups (12.4 vs. 11.3 years), patients dependent on dialysis pretransplant derived greater survival advantage from SKHT as compared with HTA (12.4 vs. 9.9 years). Cardiac graft survival was better in SKHT (12.5 vs. 11.2 years). Among patients who developed acute kidney injury requiring RRT postoperatively, SKHT recipients had a significantly better survival (11.9 vs. 2.7 years). CONCLUSION: Our data support consideration of SKHT in dialysis-dependent heart transplant candidates and suggest that patients who are at increased risk of requiring RRT after heart transplant may benefit from SKHT.

Treatment of Multiple Myeloma With Daratumumab in a Kidney Transplant Patient.

CLINICAL FEATURES: A middle-aged man with history of kidney transplantation was diagnosed with multiple myeloma (MM); he was treated with cyclophosphamide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone (CyBorD) for induction therapy. However, a repeat bone marrow biopsy after treatment revealed 10% clonal plasma cell involvement. Given residual disease, his treatment regimen was changed to daratumumab, bortezomib, and dexamethasone in an attempt to achieve minimal residual disease. THERAPEUTIC CHALLENGE: Daratumumab was recently approved for treatment of relapsed or refractory MM; there are no data regarding the safety and effectiveness in solid organ transplant patients. SOLUTION: Our patient was treated with a daratumumab-based regimen for MM. His renal function was monitored closely along with donor-specific antibody to assess for risk of graft rejection. His renal function remained stable with minimal proteinuria and negative donor-specific antibody during the treatment course.

A multi-center study on safety and efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer patients with kidney transplant.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are widely used for various malignancies. However, their safety and efficacy in patients with a kidney transplant have not been defined. To delineate this, we conducted a multicenter retrospective study of 69 patients with a kidney transplant receiving ICIs between January 2010 and May 2020. For safety, we assessed the incidence, timing, and risk factors of acute graft rejection. For efficacy, objective response rate and overall survival were assessed in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma, the most common cancers in our cohort, and compared with stage-matched 23 patients with squamous cell carcinoma and 14 with melanoma with a kidney transplant not receiving ICIs. Following ICI treatment, 29 out of 69 (42%) patients developed acute rejection, 19 of whom lost their allograft, compared with an acute rejection rate of 5.4% in the non-ICI cohort. Median time from ICI initiation to rejection was 24 days. Factors associated with a lower risk of rejection were mTOR inhibitor use (odds ratio 0.26; 95% confidence interval, 0.09-0.72) and triple-agent immunosuppression (0.67, 0.48-0.92). The objective response ratio was 36.4% and 40% in the squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma subgroups, respectively. In the squamous cell carcinoma subgroup, overall survival was significantly longer in patients treated with ICIs (median overall survival 19.8 months vs. 10.6 months), whereas in the melanoma subgroup, overall survival did not differ between groups. Thus, ICIs were associated with a high risk of rejection in patients with kidney transplants but may lead to improved cancer outcomes. Prospective studies are needed to determine optimal immunosuppression strategies to improve patient outcomes.

Incidence and risk factors of kidney allograft loss due to BK nephropathy in the pediatric population: A retrospective analysis of the UNOS/OPTN database.

BACKGROUND: BK virus infection can lead to graft dysfunction and loss in kidney transplant recipients. Risk factors for BKV and BKVN have been inadequately studied in children. Here, we evaluate the incidence and risk factors of allograft loss due to BKVN in the pediatric population of the UNOS data set. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of the UNOS database and identified all pediatric recipients of kidney transplantation between 2000 and 2018. We compared donor and recipient characteristics, including cause of ESRD, among patients who lost their graft due to BKVN or other causes, and those with functioning allograft. Kaplan-Meier curve and Cox regression analysis were performed to evaluate the risk factors. RESULTS: A total of 66 patients (0.47%) suffered graft failure from BKVN. Older age, male gender, HLA mismatch, and rejection at 1 year were significantly associated with BKVN graft failure, compared to recipients with functioning allograft. In comparison with graft loss due to other causes, male gender, higher HLA mismatch, rejection in 1st year and tacrolimus use at discharge were significantly associated with BKVN graft loss. Recipients who received mycophenolate at time of discharge were at reduced risk for BKVN graft failure. Compared to graft failure from other causes, BKVN graft failure had shorter death censored graft survival [P = .001]. ESRD due to urologic causes and Alport syndrome had higher rate of BKVN graft failure. CONCLUSION: Incidence of graft loss from BKVN in the pediatric population was 10.2 per 10 000 patient-years in this study. BKVN is associated with early allograft failure in the pediatric population, compared to other causes of graft loss. Male gender, HLA mismatch, rejection in 1st year, and urological cause of ESRD are risk factors for graft failure from BKVN in children.

Kidney allograft dysfunction due to ipsilateral thigh arteriovenous graft.

Arteriovenous graft in the thigh is used not infrequently for hemodialysis. Outcomes with this lower extremity dialysis access are generally comparable to upper extremity access and superior to long-term catheter use. However, it could have significant implications in a patient getting a kidney transplant. Here we describe a case of thigh arteriovenous graft causing kidney allograft dysfunction in a new transplant recipient, and this resolved with graft ligation.

Management of Immunosuppression in Kidney Transplant Recipients Who Develop Malignancy.

The risk of cancer increases after transplantation. However, the consensus on immunosuppression (IS) adjustment after diagnosis of malignancy is lacking. Our study aims to assess the impact of IS adjustment on mortality of post-kidney transplant patients and allograft outcomes. We retrospectively reviewed the data in our center of 110 subjects. Our results showed IS dose adjustment was not statistically associated with mortality risk (HR 1.94, 95%CI 0.85-4.41, p = 0.12), and chemotherapy was the only factor that was significantly related to mortality (HR 2.3, 95%CI 1.21-4.35, p = 0.01). IS reduction was not statistically associated with worsening graft function (OR 3.8, 95%CI 0.77-18.71, p = 0.10), nor with graft survival (SHR 4.46, 95%CI 0.58-34.48, p = 0.15) after variables adjustment. Creatinine at cancer diagnosis and history of rejection were both negatively associated with graft survival (SHR 1.72, 95%CI 1.28-2.30, p < 0.01 and SHR 3.44, 95%CI 1.25-9.49, p = 0.02). Reduction of both mycophenolate and calcineurin inhibitors was associated with worsening graft function and lower graft survival in subgroup analysis (OR 6.14, 95%CI 1.14-33.15, p = 0.04; HR 17.97, 95%CI 1.81-178.78, p = 0.01). In summary, cancer causes high mortality and morbidity in kidney transplant recipients; the importance of cancer screening should be emphasized.

Unusual Presentation of Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis in a Kidney Transplant Patient.

We are presenting a case of a middle-aged woman with history of remote kidney transplantation who had multiple admissions for septic shock-like picture, recurrent fever, and hypotension. Her shock manifestation would resolve after stress dose steroid administration and less than 24 hours of vasopressor administration. Initially, extensive workup was performed without revealing etiology. Eventually, a bone marrow biopsy was carried out leading to the diagnosis of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, most likely related to recent cytomegalovirus infection.

Cytomegalovirus mismatch still negatively affects patient and graft survival in the era of routine prophylactic and preemptive therapy: A paired kidney analysis.

The impact of cytomegalovirus (CMV) serostatus on kidney transplant outcomes in an era when CMV prophylactic and preemptive strategies are used routinely is not clearly established. Using United Network for Organ Sharing/Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network data, recipients with first deceased donor kidney transplant (≥18 years, 2010-2015) were stratified into 4 groups in the main cohort: CMV-seronegative donor (D-)/CMV-seronegative recipient (R-), CMV-seropositive donor (D+)/R-, D+/CMV-seropositive recipient (R+), and D-/R+. In a paired kidney cohort, we identified 2899 pairs of D- kidney transplant with discordance of recipient serostatus (D-/R- vs D-/R+) and 4567 pairs of D+ kidney transplant with discordance of recipient serostatus (D+/R- vs D+/R+). In the main cohort, D+/R- was associated with a higher risk of graft failure (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.17, P = .01), all-cause mortality (HR = 1.18, P < .001), and infection-related mortality (HR = 1.38, P = .03) compared with D-/R-. In the paired kidney analysis, D+/R- was an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality (HR = 1.21, P = .003) and infection-related mortality (HR = 1.47, P = .04) compared with D+/R+. No difference in graft loss between D+/R- and D+/R+. CMV mismatch is still an independent risk factor for graft loss and patient mortality. The negative impact of D+/R- serostatus on mortality persists after fully matching for donor factors.

New England BK consortium: Regional survey of BK screening and management protocols in comparison to published consensus guidelines.

INTRODUCTION: BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) continues to impact renal transplant recipients (RTR). The New England BK Consortium aims to jointly optimize screening and management of BKPyV. METHODS: Our first project was to survey centers' BKPyV screening protocols and compare them to consensus guidelines. RESULTS: Thirteen of 15 centers (86.7%) returned the survey. Only two center reported using monitoring parameters that were in line with consensus guidelines for BKPyV screening, while the majority of centers reported less intensive methods and shorter duration. One center reported performing renal biopsies in all patients with plasma viral loads >10 000 copies/mL, while all other centers only perform for-cause biopsies. For presumptive nephropathy, 11 centers recommend a biopsy for confirmation. For management of documented BKPyV-associated nephropathy, 12 centers propose further immunosuppression reduction. Nine centers report CNI dose reduction as their primary treatment. More than half of centers surveyed reported use of leflunomide, cidofovir or intravenous immunoglobulin. CONCLUSIONS: There was a large variance in BKPyV screening and management strategies among centers. Due to these results, all participating centers agreed to implement uniform screening and aim to optimize management protocols.

HLA-DQ Mismatching and Kidney Transplant Outcomes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Recent evidence suggests that HLA epitope-mismatching at HLA-DQ loci is associated with the development of anti-DQ donor-specific antibodies and adverse graft outcomes. However, the clinical significance of broad antigen HLA-DQ mismatching for graft outcomes is not well examined. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: Using the United Network Organ Sharing/the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (UNOS/OPTN) data, patients with primary kidney transplants performed between 2005 and 2014 were included. Patients were classified as having either zero HLA-DQ mismatches, or one or two HLA-DQ mismatches. Primary outcomes were death-censored graft survival and incidence of acute rejection. RESULTS: A total of 93,782 patients were included. Of these, 22,730 (24%) and 71,052 (76%) received zero and one or two HLA-DQ mismatched kidneys, respectively. After adjusting for variables including HLA-ABDR, HLA-DQ mismatching was associated with a higher risk of graft loss in living kidney donor recipients with an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 1.18 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.07 to 1.30; P<0.01), but not in deceased kidney donor recipients (HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.98 to 1.12; P=0.18) (P value for interaction <0.01). When taking cold ischemic time into account, HLA-DQ mismatching was associated with a higher risk of graft loss in deceased kidney donor recipients with cold ischemic time ≤17 hours (HR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.27; P=0.002), but not in deceased kidney donor recipients with cold ischemic time >17 hours (HR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.88 to 1.06; P=0.49) (P value for interaction <0.01). Recipients with one or two HLA-DQ mismatched kidneys had a higher incidence of acute rejection at 1 year, with adjusted odds ratios of 1.13 (95% CI, 1.03 to 1.23; P<0.01) in deceased donor and 1.14 (95% CI, 1.03 to 1.27; P=0.02) in living donor kidney transplant recipients. Specific donor-DQ mismatches seemed to be associated with the risk of acute rejection and graft failure, whereas others did not. CONCLUSIONS: HLA-DQ mismatching is associated with lower graft survival independent of HLA-ABDR in living donor kidney transplants and deceased donor kidney transplants with cold ischemia time ≤17 hours, and a higher 1-year risk of acute rejection in living and deceased donor kidney transplants.

Recurrence of IgA nephropathy after kidney transplantation in steroid continuation versus early steroid-withdrawal regimens: a retrospective analysis of the UNOS/OPTN database.

In the past 20 years, there has been an increase in use of steroid-withdrawal regimens in kidney transplantation. However, steroid withdrawal may be associated with an increased risk of recurrent IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Using United Network of (Organ Sharing/Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network) UNOS/OPTN data, we analyzed adult patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) due to IgAN who received their first kidney transplant between 2000 and 2014. For the primary outcome, we used a competing risk analysis to compare the cumulative incidence of graft loss due to IgAN recurrence between early steroid-withdrawal (ESW) and steroid continuation groups. The secondary outcomes were patient survival and death-censored graft survival (DCGS). A total of 9690 recipients were included (2831 in ESW group and 6859 in steroid continuation group). In total, 1238 recipients experienced graft loss, of which 191 (15.43%) were due to IgAN recurrence. In multivariable analysis, steroid use was associated with a decreased risk of recurrence (subdistribution hazard ratio 0.666, 95% CI 0.482-0.921; P = 0.014). Patient survival and DCGS were not different between the two groups. In the USA, ESW in transplant for ESRD due to IgAN is associated with a higher risk of graft loss due to disease recurrence. Future prospective studies are warranted to further address which patients with IgAN would benefit from steroid continuation.

Pre-transplant immune factors may be associated with BK polyomavirus reactivation in kidney transplant recipients.

BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) reactivation in kidney transplant recipients can lead to allograft damage and loss. The elements of the adaptive immune system that are permissive of reactivation and responsible for viral control remain incompletely described. We performed a prospective study evaluating BKPyV-specific T-cell response, humoral response and overall T-cell phenotype beginning pre-transplant through one year post-transplant in 28 patients at two centers. We performed an exploratory analysis of risk factors for the development of viremia and viruria as well as compared the immune response to BKPyV in these groups and those who remained BK negative. 6 patients developed viruria and 3 developed viremia. BKPyV-specific CD8+ T-cells increased post-transplant in viremic and viruric but not BK negative patients. BKPyV-specific CD4+ T-cells increased in viremic, but not viruric or BK negative patients. Anti-BKPyV IgG antibodies increased in viruric and viremic patients but remained unchanged in BK negative patients. Viremic patients had a greater proportion of CD8+ effector cells pre-transplant and at 12 months post-transplant. Viremic patients had fewer CD4+ effector memory cells at 3 months post-transplant. Exploratory analysis demonstrated lower CD4 and higher total CD8 proportions, higher anti-BKPyV antibody titers and the cause of renal failure were associated BKPyV reactivation. In conclusion, low CD4, high CD8 and increased effector CD8 cells were found pre-transplant in patients who became viremic, a phenotype associated with immune senescence. This pre-transplant T-cell senescence phenotype could potentially be used to identify patients at increased risk of BKPyV reactivation.

Acute myeloid leukemia after kidney transplantation: a case report and literature review.

The incidence of malignancy is greater in kidney transplant recipients compared to the general population, though the higher risk is not equally distributed to all types of cancers. In face of the increased longevity of renal transplant recipients, certain cancers, such as acute leukemias, are becoming more prevalent. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) typically presents with cytopenias and infections, both common findings after kidney transplantation. Therefore, the diagnosis of AML may be initially overlooked in these patients. We report the case of a 33-year-old man who presented with fever, pancytopenia and acute worsening of his renal allograft function 9 years after a living unrelated kidney transplant. After initial negative infectious work-up, a kidney biopsy revealed C4d-positive antibody-mediated rejection in combination with scattered atypical inflammatory cells. A subsequent bone marrow biopsy confirmed AML. He underwent successful induction chemotherapy with daunorubucin and cytarabine and ultimately achieved a complete remission. However, he developed a Page kidney with worsening renal function and abdominal pain three weeks after biopsy in the setting of chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia. Herein, we discuss the prevalence, risk factors, presentation and management of leukemia after kidney transplantation.

Acute myeloid leukemia after kidney transplantation: a case report and literature review / A leucemia mielóide aguda após transplante renal: um relato de caso e revisão da literatura

Abstract The incidence of malignancy is greater in kidney transplant recipients compared to the general population, though the higher risk is not equally distributed to all types of cancers. In face of the increased longevity of renal transplant recipients, certain cancers, such as acute leukemias, are becoming more prevalent. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) typically presents with cytopenias and infections, both common findings after kidney transplantation. Therefore, the diagnosis of AML may be initially overlooked in these patients. We report the case of a 33-year-old man who presented with fever, pancytopenia and acute worsening of his renal allograft function 9 years after a living unrelated kidney transplant. After initial negative infectious work-up, a kidney biopsy revealed C4d-positive antibody-mediated rejection in combination with scattered atypical inflammatory cells. A subsequent bone marrow biopsy confirmed AML. He underwent successful induction chemotherapy with daunorubucin and cytarabine and ultimately achieved a complete remission. However, he developed a Page kidney with worsening renal function and abdominal pain three weeks after biopsy in the setting of chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia. Herein, we discuss the prevalence, risk factors, presentation and management of leukemia after kidney transplantation.

Resumo A incidência de cancer é maior em receptores de transplante renal em comparação com a população em geral, entretanto, o maior risco não é igualmente distribuído em todos os tipos de canceres. Em face do aumento da longevidade de pacientes transplantados renais, certos canceres, tais como leucemias agudas, são cada vez mais prevalentes. Leucemia mielóide aguda (LMA) normalmente se apresenta com citopenias e infecções, quadro comum após o transplante renal. Portanto, o diagnóstico da LMA pode ser inicialmente negligenciado nestes pacientes. Relatamos o caso de um homem de 33 anos de idade que se apresentou com febre, pancitopenia e agravamento agudo da função do enxerto renal de 9 anos após transplante de rim de doador vivo. Após inicial testes negativos para infecção, uma biópsia renal revelou rejeição por anticorpos com C4d positivo e dispersas células inflamatórias atípicas. A subsequente biópsia de medula óssea confirmou LMA. A quimioterapia de indução foi bem-sucedida com daunorubucin e citarabina e, finalmente, obtida uma complete remissão. No entanto, ele desenvolveu uma "Page kidney" com piora da função renal e dor abdominal, três semanas após a biópsia no contexto da trombocitopenia induzida pela quimioterapia. Aqui, discutimos a prevalência, fatores de risco, apresentação e manejo da leucemia pós-transplant renal.

Accumulation of retained nonfunctional arteriovenous grafts correlates with severity of inflammation in asymptomatic ESRD patients.

BACKGROUND: The contribution of multiple retained nonfunctional arteriovenous grafts (AVGs) to the burden of chronic inflammation in chronic hemodialysis patients has not been well studied. Here, we sought to evaluate the association between plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and albumin and the number of retained nonfunctional AVGs. METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled 91 prevalent patients undergoing in-center hemodialysis without evidence of infection or inflammation. A baseline blood sample was obtained at study enrollment. A general linear model (GLM) was used to compare levels of biomarkers of systemic inflammation across groups defined by the number of retained, nonfunctional AVGs. RESULTS: A total of 43 patients had one or more retained thrombosed AVG and had significantly greater plasma log-CRP levels compared with patients without a previous AVG (P= 0.036), regardless of the current AV access type. Using a GLM, we found that for every additional retained thrombosed AVG, plasma log-CRP, log-IL-6 and TNF-alpha concentrations increased significantly by 0.30 mg/L (P= 0.011), 0.18 pg/mL (P= 0.046) and 0.72 pg/mL (P= 0.046), respectively, following adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: Hence, the severity of inflammation increases with the number of retained nonfunctional AVG's, suggesting that AVG accumulation may contribute to the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality associated with chronic inflammation in asymptomatic end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. Further study is indicated to determine whether patients with one or more thrombosed, retained AVG may benefit from periodic screening with CRP monitoring to identify those patients who may benefit from AVG resection.

Reproducibility of pulse wave velocity measurements with phase contrast magnetic resonance and applanation tonometry.

Increased aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) results from loss of arterial compliance and is associated with unfavorable outcomes. Applanation tonometry (AT) is the most frequently applied method to assess PWV and deduce aortic compliance. The goal of this study was to compare the reproducibility of PWV measurements obtained with: (1) cross-correlation analysis of phase contrast magnetic resonance (PCMR) velocity data, and (2) applanation tonometry (AT). PWV was measured twice with each modality in 13 normal young volunteers (controls) and 9 older patients who had undergone a CT exam to evaluate coronary artery calcium. The coefficient of variation (CoV) between measurements was computed for each modality. There was no significant difference in PWV values obtained with AT and PCMR in controls or patients. The inter-scan reproducibility of PCMR was superior to AT in the controls (CoV: 3.4 ± 2.3% vs. 6.3 ± 4.0%, P = 0.03) but not in the older patients (7.4 ± 8.0% vs. 9.9 ± 9.6%, P = 0.32). PWV values were higher in patients than controls (5.6 ± 1.2 vs. 9.7 ± 2.8, P = 0.002). PCMR and AT yielded similar values for PWV in patients and volunteers. PCMR showed a superior reproducibility in young subjects but not in older patients.