The effect of immunosuppressive treatment on arterial stiffness and matrix Gla protein levels in renal transplant recipients.

INTRODUCTION: Arterial stiffness is a risk marker for cardiovascular events. In this study we aimed to compare the effect on calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) and mammalian Target of Rapamycine inhibitors (mTORi) on arterial stiffness in renal transplant patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 81 renal transplant patients under CNI-based or mTORi-based protocol for at least 6 months were included in the study. Arterial stiffness was measured by using the SphygmoCor device (AtCor Medical, Sydney, Australia). Vitamin K-dependent, calcification inhibitor matrix Gla protein (MGP) concentrations were quantified by ELISA methods (Biomedica, Vienna, Austria). RESULTS: 34 patients were on mTORi-based and 47 on CNI-based immunosuppression. Mean age was 37.9 ± 10.8 (18 - 71) years and 45% were female. Age, gender, graft functions and follow-up period of the groups were similar. Augmentation index was 15.2 ± 12.6% in CNI and 18.8 ± 14.0% in mTORi groups (p > 0.05). There was no difference regarding carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity between groups. Arterial stiffness was positively correlated with age, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and proteinuria. MGP levels were higher in the mTORi group but were not predictors for carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity. CONCLUSION: Rather than specific immunosuppressive drug effects, conventional risk factors, blood pressure and proteinuria are the most important predictors for arterial stiffness in renal transplant patients.

Impedance ratio: a novel marker and a powerful predictor of mortality in hemodialysis patients.

PURPOSE: Impedance ratio (Imp-R) obtained by multifrequency bioimpedance analysis (BIA) has been shown to be associated with volume and nutrition status. In this prospective study, the predictive role of Imp-R for mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients was investigated. METHODS: Multifrequency (5-50-100-200 kHz) BIA was applied to 493 prevalent HD patients in March-April 2006. Imp-R was defined as the ratio of 200-5 kHz impedance values. Demographical, clinical and laboratory data at the time of the analysis were recorded. All-cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality were assessed during 3 years of follow-up. RESULTS: Mean age was 57.7 ± 13.9 years, HD duration 52.1 ± 42.6 months and prevalence of diabetes 21.7 %. Imp-R was negatively correlated with nutritional markers including albumin, creatinine and hemoglobin levels. In addition, there was a positive correlation between Imp-R and age, ratio of extracellular water to total body water and high-sensitive C-reactive protein. Over a mean follow-up period of 27.9 ± 11.1 months, 93 deaths (52 from CV reasons) were observed. In the multivariate analysis, Imp-R was significantly associated with all-cause and CV mortality after adjustments [HR 1.13, 95 % CI (1.04-1.23); p = 0.004 and HR 1.15, 95 % CI (1.03-1.27); p = 0.01, respectively]. The risk of all-cause mortality was 3.4 times higher in the fourth quartile of Imp-R (>83.5 %) compared to the first Imp-R quartile (<78.8 %) as reference. Cutoff value of Imp-R for all-cause mortality was 82.0 % with a sensitivity of 65.5 % and specificity of 64 %. CONCLUSION: Impedance ratio measured by multifrequency in standardized conditions BIA is an independent and powerful predictor of both all-cause and CV mortality in hemodialysis patients.