The Relationship between Abdominal Aortic Calcification and Cardiac Abnormalities in Hemodialysis Patients

Abstract

Background: Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) is a marker of subclinical atherosclerotic disease and an independent predictor of subsequent vascular morbidity and mortality. Aim of the work: This study was conducted to investigate the association of abdominal aortic calcification with cardiac abnormalitiesin hemodialysispatient (HD). Methods: This cross-sectionalobservational study wasperformed on 90 patients (50 males and 40 females)with chronic kidney disease, stage 5 (CKD)of varying etiologies from hemodialysis unit at Al-Hussein UniversityHospital. They wereundergoing regularhemodialysis for more than 6 monthes.Laboratory investigations were done including liver function tests, kidney function tests,complete blood count (CBC),C-reactive protein (CRP), fasting and random blood glucose,lipid profile, calcium, phosphorus,calcium phosphate productandparathormone(PTH).In addition, Echocardiography and X-ray plain radiography were determined. Results: Out of 90 HD patients, 37 patients (41.1 %) had valvular calcification, all of them (41.1 %) had aortic valve calcifications and AAC score exceeded 6. Only 7 patients (7.8%)had mitral valve calcifications. Moreover, cases with mitral valve calcifications had aortic valve calcification and AAC score above 12. Seven patients (7.8 %) had mildaortic regurgitation (AR)and 4 patients (4.44%) had aortic stenosis. Conclusion: AAC precedes the occurrence of cardiac abnormalities in HD patients and has been shown to have significant prognostic significance for cardiovascular events and mortality.