Atherogenic Index and 10-Year Risk of Cardiovascular Mortality in People Qualified for Kidney Donation

Abstract

Objectives: Living kidney donor is exposed to the renal function impairment as a result of kidney donation. This may increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, it seems justified to identify preexisting cardiovascular risk factors prior to kidney donation. Aim: to evaluate the atherogenic index and to calculate 10-year risk of cardiovascular mortality in subjects qualified for kidney donation. Material and methods: we analyzed data from the medical records of 46 consecutive persons who were qualified for kidney donation. There were 26 women and 20 men in a mean age 42.5±2.12 years (23 to 70 years, 15 persons were aged < 40 years). All studied individuals underwent clinical examination and lipid profile. For each subject we calculated atherogenic index. To calculate the 10-year risk of cardiovascular death, HeartScore calculator was used (www.heartscore.org), which included age, systolic blood pressure, plasma total cholesterol level, smoking habits. The relative risk of death was compared with the risk acceptable for the age of each person. Results:Table 1 presents the characteristics of the study group of 46 people qualified to kidney donation.Table: [Characteristic of studied group]In 26 (56.5%) persons the calculated HeartScore risk value was consistent with this estimated for age, while in 13 (28.3%) it exceeded this value by 1% to 9% (mean 3.1%) and in 7 (19.6%) it was lower. The most frequent risk factors of coronary heart disease were overweight or obesity, lipid disorders and cigarette smoking. More than 40% of potential living kidney donors had more than one coronary risk factor. Before the surgery efforts were made to control risk factors when required (body weight reduction, dyslipidemia treatment, smoking cessation). Conclusions: 1. In the group of persons who were examined for eligibility for kidney donation, almost 30% of the population had increased 10-year risk of death from cardiovascular causes. 2. More than 17% of examined people had the high risk of atherosclerosis expressed by atherogenic index. 3. In some of those qualified for kidney donation preoperative control of risk factors for atherosclerosis is required.