Carotid intima media thickness and aortic calcification index closely relate to cerebro- and cardiovascular disorders in hemodialysis patients.

Aim: Atherosclerosis can be evaluated by carotid intima media thickness (IMT), the aortic calcification index (ACI), and pulse wave velocity (PWV). We investigated which test was most closely related to cerebro- and cardiovascular disorders (CCVD) in hemodialysis patients.
Methods: Maximum IMT (max-IMT), ACI, and PWV were examined in 110 hemodialysis patients, using carotid ultrasonography, abdominal CT and a blood pressure pulse wave instrument, respectively. Blood hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), serum total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, total protein, albumin, high sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP), and tumor necrosis factor alpha were measured. The patients were divided into two groups; with and without CCVD and the degree of atherosclerosis was evaluated in each group.
Results: Compared to the CCVD (-) group, the CCVD (+) group showed significantly higher percentages of males and diabetic patients, higher levels of HbA1c (5.14 vs 4.83%) and hs-CRP (0.320 vs 0.167 mg/dL), an older age group (64.5 vs 57.5 years), a greater max-IMT (2.05 vs 1.19 mm), and a higher ACI (71.8 vs 41.0%); and significantly lower diastolic blood pressure (82.8 vs 89.2 mmHg). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the factors influencing the development of CCVD were age (odds ratio: 1.092), ACI (odds ratio: 1.025), and max-IMT (odds ratio: 2.006). However, PWV did not significantly relate to CCVD.
Conclusions: In hemodialysis patients, the ACI and max-IMT were significantly associated with CCVD, but the association of PWV was weak. A prospective cohort study is warranted to determine the risk factors for CCVD in hemodialysis patients.