Epicardial fat tissue, coronary arterial calcification and mortality in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease and hemodialysis. / Tejido graso epicárdico, calcificación arterial coronaria y mortalidad en pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica avanzada y hemodiálisis.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Epicardial and mediastinal adipose tissue (EAT, MAT) are linked to metabolic syndrome and coronary artery disease. Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have thicker EAT. We assessed if EAT and MAT could be associated with increased mortality and cardiovascular events in patients with advanced CKD and haemodialysis therapy. METHODS: A post-hoc study was performed. We analyzed a prospective series of 104 cases. EAT thickness was quantified by a multislice synchronized computed tomography (MSCT). RESULTS: The follow-up period was 112.68 (109.94 -115.42) months. The optimal cut-off point of EAT for prediction of total mortality was 11.45mm (92.86% and 43.75%). EAT thickness was associated with serum albumin levels, serum triglyceride levels, phosphorus and calcium phosphate product. The EAT was greater in haemodialysis patients compared to those with advanced CKD (P<.001). Patients with diabetes mellitus had greater EAT and MAT thickness (P=.018). At the end of follow up, the survival average time of patients with EAT thickness <11.45mm was 97.48 months vs. 76.65 months for thickness > 11.45mm (P=.007). CONCLUSIONS: A higher EAT and MAT thickness was associated with increased mortality. Furthermore, EAT was associated with lower free survival time to fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events. The measurement of EAT and MAT by MSCT could be a prognostic tool to predict cardiovascular events and mortality risk in advanced CKD patients.

Epicardial fat tissue, coronary arterial calcification and mortality in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease and hemodialysis.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Epicardial and mediastinal adipose tissue (EAT, MAT) are linked to metabolic syndrome and coronary artery disease. Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have thicker EAT. We assessed if EAT and MAT could be associated with increased mortality and cardiovascular events in patients with advanced CKD and haemodialysis therapy. METHODS: A post-hoc study was performed. We analyzed a prospective series of 104 cases. EAT thickness was quantified by a multislice synchronized computed tomography (MSCT). RESULTS: The follow-up period was 112.68 (109.94-115.42) months. The optimal cut-off point of EAT for prediction of total mortality was 11.45 mm (92.86% and 43.75%). EAT thickness was associated with serum albumin levels, serum triglyceride levels, phosphorus and calcium phosphate product. The EAT was greater in haemodialysis patients compared to those with advanced CKD (P < .001). Patients with diabetes mellitus had greater EAT and MAT thickness (P = .018). At the end of follow up, the survival average time of patients with EAT thickness <11.45 mm was 97.48 months vs. 76.65 months for thickness > 11.45 mm (P = .007). CONCLUSIONS: A higher EAT and MAT thickness was associated with increased mortality. Furthermore, EAT was associated with lower free survival time to fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events. The measurement of EAT and MAT by MSCT could be a prognostic tool to predict cardiovascular events and mortality risk in advanced CKD patients.

Coronary calcification as a predictor of cardiovascular mortality in advanced chronic kidney disease: a prospective long-term follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) exhibit higher prevalence of coronary artery calcification (CaC) than general population. CaC has been proposed as a risk factor for mortality in end-stage CKD, but most studies in the field are based on short-term follow-up. METHODS: We conducted a cohort, 10-year prospective longitudinal study of consecutive cases referred to the renal unit. A non-enhanced multislice coronary computed tomography was performed at baseline. CaC was assessed by Agatston method. Patients were stratified according to their CaC score: severe calcification group (CaCs< 400 HU) and mild-moderate calcification group (CaCs≥400 HU). The overall and cardiovascular (CV) mortality, CV events, and factors potentially associated with CaC development were recorded. RESULTS: 137 patients with advanced CKD were enrolled and provided consent. Overall mortality rate was 58%; 40% due to CV events. The rate of overall mortality in the severe calcification group was 75%, and 30% in the low calcification group, whereas the rate of CV mortality was 35% vs. 6%, respectively (p < 0.001). The severe calcification group was older, had higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, former cardiologic events, and lower albumin serum levels than the mild-moderate calcification group. In a multivariate Cox model, severe CaC was a significant predictor of CV mortality (HR 5.01; 95%CI 1.28 to 19.6, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Among advanced CKD, there was a significantly increase of CV mortality in patients with severe CaCs during a 10-year follow-up period. CaCs could be a useful prognostic tool to predict CV mortality risk in CKD patients.

Coronary artery calcification in patients with diabetes mellitus and advanced chronic kidney disease. / Calcificación arterial coronaria en pacientes con diabetes mellitus y enfermedad renal crónica avanzada.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and diabetes mellitus (DM) have high cardiovascular risk. Both conditions are related to systemic atherosclerosis and vascular calcification. The prevalence and severity of coronary artery calcification (CaC) is higher in patients with DM, regardless of their renal function. Data about the long-term prognostic role of CaC in diabetic patients with CKD are scarce. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We carried out a prospective longitudinal study enrolling 137 patients with advanced CKD. A non-enhanced multislice coronary computed tomography (CT) was performed at baseline. CaC was assessed using Agatston method. Patients were stratified according to their CaC score: severe calcification group (CaCs≥400HU) and mild-moderate calcification group (CaCs<400HU). RESULTS: The median follow-up time was 87.5 months. DM was found in 28% of subjects. The patients with DM showed more severe CaC, lower albumin and higher C-reactive protein serum levels. Serum albumin was correlated with severe CaC (r=-0.45, P=.009). Overall mortality rate reached 58%. Patients with DM also tended to have higher mortality compared to non-diabetic subjects (X2 3.51, P=.061) especially those with severe CaC showed higher mortality than those with severe CaC without DM (93% vs.73%, P=.04). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with advanced CKD and DM have more severe CaC, increased inflammation-malnutrition data and higher mortality compared to those without DM.