Abstract

SANCHEZ-PERALES, Carmen et al. Valvular calcification upon initiating dialysis predict the appearance of cardiovascular events in patient evolution. Nefrología (Madr.) [online]. 2015, vol.35, n.2, pp.157-163. ISSN 1989-2284.

The estimated frequency of cardiac valvular calcification (VC) in patients on dialysis is high, although the majority of studies published to date regarding the rate of VC have dealt with prevalent patients in dialysis. There are few studies of VC at the commencement of dialysis and its relationship to future events or cardiovascular mortality. Objective: To establish the prevalence of VC at the start of dialysis and the relationship between VC and the presentation of composite endpoints of acute myocardial infarction (MI), stroke or death from cardiovascular causes in the follow-up of incident dialysis patients. Methods: We conducted an analysis of dialysis patients (haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis) who commenced dialysis between November 03 and September 07. VC was assessed by Doppler-echocardiography and its association with MI, stroke or cardiovascular mortality in the follow-up until death, transplant, or study end in December 2012 was analysed. Other variables assessed in the first month of dialysis were ECG, age, gender, smoking habit, diabetes, hypertension, previous ischemic stroke, coronary arterial disease and atrial fibrillation. Biochemical analyses included: haemoglobin, urea, creatinine, lipids, calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, albumin, troponin I, glycosylated haemoglobin and C-reactive protein. Results: Of 256 enrolled patients (83% Haemodialysis, 17% Peritoneal dialysis), 128 (50%) had VC at the commencement of dialysis (aortic 20, mitral 39, both 69). VC was associated with older age (OR: 1.110; CI 95%: 1.073-1.148; P=.000) and lower albumin levels (OR: 0.29; CI 95%: 0.14-0.61; P=.001). In a follow-up lasting a mean of 42.1±30.2 months (898.1 patient-years), 68 patients suffered an MI, a stroke or died from cardiovascular causes. The factors that predicted the presentation of the endpoint (Cox regression analysis) were older age (HR: 1.028; CI 95%: 1.002-1.055; P=.037), previous coronary arterial disease or stroke (HR: 1.979; CI 95%: 1.111-3.527; P=.021), atrial fibrillation (HR: 2.474; CI 95%: 1.331-4.602; P=.004) and VC at the start of dialysis (HR: 1.996; CI 95%: 1.077-3.700; P=.028). Conclusions: The prevalence of VC at the commencement of dialysis is very high and its presence is an independent predictor of event and cardiovascular mortality presentation in the course of follow-up.

Keywords : Valvular calcification; Dialysis; Cardiovascular risk factors.

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