Arteries In Hemodialysis Patients Research Articles

Calcification detection on upper extremity arteries: a comparison of ultrasonic and X-ray methods.

Vascular calcification (VC) has been observed in patients with hemodialysis, whereas few studies have investigated calcification in the upper extremity vasculature. Both ultrasound and X-ray are used to investigate the calcification of arteries in patients. However, there is a lack of data on the consistency between these two methods. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of VC in the radial and ulnar arteries of hemodialysis patients and investigate the detection consistency in VC between ultrasound and X-ray. Ultrasound and X-ray examinations were performed in the radial and ulnar arteries of both the left and right upper extremities of 40 patients on hemodialysis. The calcification status of arteries was evaluated by the calcification index from ultrasound and X-ray respectively. Clinical variables of patients were collected from all the involved patients. Of the 40 patients, VC was detected in 31 patients by ultrasound, while X-ray detected VC in 22 patients. Compared to ultrasound assessment, X-ray assessment was 73.21% sensitive but only 66.35% specific with a positive predictive value of 53.95% for detecting calcifications in the radial or ulnar artery. The level of agreement between ultrasound and X-ray results was fair. In addition, our data showed that more ulnar arteries had VCs than the corresponding radial arteries. Ultrasound is more sensitive in detecting the presence of calcified atherosclerotic lesions. Ultrasound and X-ray exhibited fair consistency. Ultrasound screening for upper extremity radial and ulnar arteries in hemodialysis patients may deserve attention to explore its clinical significance.

Malnutrition leads to the progression of coronary artery calcification in hemodialysis patients.

Malnutrition is considered a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in patients with chronic kidney disease. However, no in vivo studies have reported on using optical coherence tomography to evaluate the effect of nutritional status on coronary atherosclerosis in hemodialysis patients. We aimed to conduct a detailed analysis of the effect of nutritional status on the coronary arteries in hemodialysis patients. Among 64 hemodialysis patients who underwent percutaneous coronary interventions, 41 that underwent optical coherence tomography imaging were included in this study. And, among them, 24 patients that could also be evaluated using OCT also at the 6-month follow-up were included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups based on nutritional evaluation using the geriatric nutritional risk index. Culprit and non-culprit lesions were evaluated at baseline and after 6 months. In the culprit lesions at baseline, the length of the lipid plaque was significantly smaller in the malnutrition group. In contrast, the thickness and length of the calcified plaque and the angle of the calcified nodule were significantly larger (each p < 0.01). In the non-culprit lesions, the 6-month change in the angle of the calcified plaque was significantly greater in the malnutrition group (p = 0.02). The significant factors that affected the change in the angle of calcification were "malnutrition at geriatric nutritional risk index" [odds ratio, 8.17; 95% confidence interval, 1.79 to 37.33; p < 0.01] and "serum phosphorus level" (odds ratio, 3.73; 95% confidence interval, 1.42 to 9.81; p < 0.01). Appropriate management of nutritional status is crucial for suppressing the progression of coronary artery disease in hemodialysis patients.

PARTICULARITY OF HEMODYNAMICS IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS WITH HAND ISCHEMIA

Introduction. Successful hemodialysis is impossible without effective vascular access. However, the average duration of its normal functioning is 2.53.0 years that is associated with complications, one of them is steal syndrome of the hand. Objective. To examine hemodynamic parameters in vascular access and forearm arteries in hemodialysis patients with hand ischemia. Methods. Duplex ultrasound was performed in 550 patients, 517 of which (94.0%) had an arteriovenous fistula, 33 (6.0%) had an arteriovenous graft. The inflow artery, anastomotic zone, outflow vein and arteries distal to the anastomotic zone were assessed during ultrasound examination, linear and volumetric speed indicators, peripheral resistance indices were measured. Results. Steal syndrome was detected in 2.7% of cases. The main reasons are the inflow artery alterations due to diabetes and atherosclerosis that lead to insufficient growth of blood flow through the artery (20,0%); huge anastomosis diameter that causes a vein dilation and significant increase in access flow (13,3%); insufficient blood flow through the ulnar, anterior interosseous arteries and the absence of collateral branches that did not compensate for retrograde blood flow in the radial artery distal to anastomosis (40,0%); microcirculatory dysfunction of the hand and alterations of the regulation mechanisms of the resistive vessels tone (26,7%). Conclusion. Dynamic ultrasound examination of vascular access can detect adverse changes in hemodynamics and avoid severe ischemic complications. The main reason of steal syndrome is the condition of the forearm arteries not participating in the fistula formation and the hand microvasculature.

Correlation Between Hand Ischemia Questionnaire and Peak Systolic Velocity of Radial Artery and Ulnar Artery in Hemodialysis Patients with Upper Arm Native Fistula Arteriovenosa

Introduction: Steal syndrome that occurs due to vascular access is one of the most feared complications after making a fistula arteriovenous (FAV). It is necessary to develop an assessment for early detection. Hand ischemia questionnaire (HIQ) and measurement of peak systolic velocity (PSV) of the radial artery and the ulnar artery are a form of subjective and objective examinations used to detect steal syndrome. The aim is to determine the correlation between HIQ and PSV of the radial artery and ulnar artery in hemodialysis patients with upper arm’s native FAV to detect symptoms of steal syndrome. Method: This is a cross-sectional study conducted in Cipto Mangunkusumo National Hospital from March to May 2019. Patients undergoing hemodialysis using upper arm native access FAV with or without symptoms of ischemia in the hands were included. Patients were asked to fill HIQ by interview, and then continued with measurement of PSV of the radial arteries and distal ulnar arteries from the hands with FAV. Results: A total of 80 samples were taken with 43 were women (53.8%), and 37 were men (46.2%). About 91.2% of the samples were FAV at the brachiocephalic level. The median age of the samples was 53 years. From the total HIQ score obtained, the results were a minimum of 0, maximum of 70, and a median value of 3. PSV of radial artery were minimum of 20 cm/s, maximum of 79 cm/s, and median 40 cm/s. The minimum PSV of the ulnar artery was 16 cm/s, the maximum was 70 cm/s, and the median was 41 cm/s. There was a significant correlation between the hand ischemia questionnaire and the peak systolic velocity of the radial artery and the ulnar artery in patients with native upper arm FAV (p &lt;0.001), but after diagnostic testing, it was found that sensitivity was only 15% and specificity was 100%. Conclusion: There was a significant correlation between hand ischemia questionnaire and peak systolic velocity of the radial artery and ulnar artery in patients with upper arm native FAV, but due to the low sensitivity, the hand ischemia questionnaire cannot be used as an initial examination to detect steal syndrome in patients with no symptoms of hand ischemia. Keywords: steal syndrome, Peak Systolic Velocity, Hand Ischemia Questionnaire.

Índice tornozelo-braço em pacientes hemodialíticos

INTRODUÇÃO: Apesar da elevada mortalidade dos pacientes em hemodiálise devido às doenças cardiovasculares, é incomum a realização de exames diagnósticos para doença arterial obstrutiva periférica e artérias pouco compressíveis. OBJETIVOS: Analisar a prevalência de doença arterial obstrutiva periférica e artérias pouco compressíveis em hemodialisados, comparando-os com o Grupo Controle. MÉTODOS: Tratou-se de um estudo transversal, com 78 hemodialisados e 88 pacientes que não faziam hemodiálise com, pelo menos, dois fatores de risco para doença arterial obstrutiva periférica (Grupo Controle). Para aferição da pressão arterial sistólica, utilizou-se Doppler vascular portátil e esfigmomanômetro. Esta foi aferida somente nos membros que não possuíam fístula arteriovenosa. O índice tornozelo-braço foi calculado utilizando cada artéria do membro inferior. Foram considerados normais os valores de 0,9 a 1,3. RESULTADOS: Diagnosticou-se doença arterial obstrutiva periférica e artérias pouco compressíveis em 26,9 e 30,8%, dos hemodialisados, e em 33 e 22,7%, do Grupo Controle. Nos hemodialisados, verificou-se o índice tornozelo-braço alterado em 75% dos sintomáticos (p=0,005), em 67,3% dos homens e 31% das mulheres (p&lt;0,005), em 78,6% dos idosos, 34,8% dos adultos jovens (p&lt;0,01) e em 76,9% dos diabéticos (p&lt;0,005 versus não diabéticos). Esses pacientes apresentaram maior prevalência de doença arterial obstrutiva periférica grave do que o Grupo Controle (p&lt;0,01). CONCLUSÕES: O índice tornozelo-braço anormal foi muito prevalente nos grupos estudados; entretanto, os hemodialisados apresentaram alterações mais graves quando comparados ao Grupo Controle. Diabetes melito, sexo masculino e idade avançada foram fatores de risco importantes para a alteração do índice tornozelo-braço nos hemodialisados. O índice tornozelo-braço foi um bom método de rastreio para alterações pesquisadas. Portanto, a utilização deste na rotina de manejo de pacientes em hemodiálise é sugerida.

Peripheral artery calcifications evaluated by histology correlate to those detected by CT: relationships with fetuin-A and FGF-23

Calcification of arteries is a frequent occurrence in hemodialysis (HD) patients and is linked to mortality. This study was conducted to evaluate the correspondence between coronary calcification scores and calcifications observed histologically in peripheral arteries in HD patients. In addition the association of humoral parameters including fetuin-A and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) with arterial calcifications was studied. HD patients (n=44) were studied with multislice computed tomography (CT) and histological quantification of arterial calcifications in the lower epigastric artery sampled at the time of renal transplant. In addition, humoral assays were performed including fetuin-A and FGF-23. There was a significant correlation between medial calcification of the artery and Agatston scores. Natural logarithm (Ln) FGF-23 significantly correlated to Ln Agatston score but not to Ln medial calcification. A significant negative correlation between fetuin-A and Ln FGF-23 was observed, changing to borderline significance after correction for age and Ln HD age. Ln Agatston score in a multiregression analysis was predicted by Ln FGF-23 and age. The association found between histologically evaluated calcification of the media of a peripheral artery in HD and the multislice CT Agatston scores is in favor of a generalized arterial calcification, either intimal or of tunica media, when calcium deposits are found in the coronary arteries. The association of FGF-23 with coronary calcification score, already reported, and less so with histological medial calcification is in favor of a link between the protein and intimal more than the medial calcification. FGF-23 may be considered a potential biomarker of arterial calcification in HD patients. The negative association between fetuin-A and FGF-23 may suggest a linkage between these humoral substances, vascular calcifications and mortality. The nature of this linkage requires further studies.

Role of fibroblast growth factor-23 in peripheral vascular calcification in non-diabetic and diabetic hemodialysis patients

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 23 is a recently identified circulating factor that regulates phosphate (Pi) metabolism. Since the derangement of Pi control is an important risk factor for vascular calcification, we investigated the importance of plasma FGF-23 in the development of vascular calcification in the aorta and peripheral artery in hemodialysis patients with and without diabetes mellitus (DM). Male hemodialysis patients with DM (n=32) and without DM (n=56) were examined. Plasma samples were obtained before the start of dialysis sessions, and the FGF-23 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Roentgenography of the aorta and hand artery was performed, and visible vascular calcification was evaluated by one examiner, who was blinded to the patient characteristics. In the 56 non-DM hemodialysis patients, vascular calcification was found in the hand artery in 5 patients (8.9%) and in the aorta in 23 patients (41.1%). These levels were significantly lower (p<0.05) than in the 32 DM patients, of whom, 19 (59.4%) and 21 (65.6%) had vascular calcification of the hand artery and aorta, respectively. Multiple regression analyses performed separately in the non-DM and DM patients showed that the plasma FGF-23 level, CaxPi product, and body weight are independent factors significantly associated with hand-artery calcification and that diastolic blood pressure is associated with aorta calcification in non-DM patients. In DM patients, the plasma FGF-23 level and hemodialysis duration emerged as independent factors associated with hand-artery calcification and diastolic blood pressure was associated with aorta calcification. The independent association of the plasma FGF-23 level with hand-artery calcification was retained in both non-DM and DM patients when adjusted for the CaxPi product. Our findings show that the plasma FGF-23 level is an independent factor negatively associated with peripheral vascular calcification in the hand artery, but not in the aorta, in both male non-DM and DM hemodialysis patients, even when adjusted for the CaxPi product. This study raises the possibility that the plasma FGF-23 level may provide a reliable marker for Moenckeberg's medial calcification in male hemodialysis patients, independent of its regulatory effect on Pi metabolism.

Association between Neopterin and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Hemodialysis Patients

Background: Atherosclerotic lesions are heavily infiltrated by macrophages. Neopterin can be used as a marker of the activity of macrophages. Serum neopterin levels were elevated in non-renal patients with atherosclerosis. The intima-media thickness (IMT) of the carotid arteries in hemodialysis patients was significantly higher than in control subjects. In this study, we measured serum neopterin levels in hemodialysis patients and evaluated a possible correlation between neopterin levels and carotid IMT. Patients and Methods: Thirty-seven hemodialysis patients (26 male/11 female, mean age 47 ± 15 years) and 12 healthy subjects (8 male/4 female, mean age 43 ± 10 years) were included in this study. Serum neopterin levels were measured by using a commercial ELISA kit. Carotid IMT of the subjects were measured by high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography. Results: Carotid IMT values were 1.04 ± 0.29 and 0.77 ± 0.25 mm in hemodialysis patients and healthy controls, respectively (p < 0.01). Serum neopterin levels were 110.9 ± 19.1 and 3.8 ± 2.3 ng/ml in hemodialysis patients and healthy controls, respectively (p < 0.01). Serum neopterin levels were 103.2 ± 21.3 ng/ml in hemodialysis patients with IMT <1 mm (n = 15), and 116.7 ± 15.4 ng/ml in hemodialysis patients with IMT ≧1 mm (n = 22) (p < 0.05). Moreover, there was a significant correlation between serum neopterin levels and carotid IMT (p < 0.05, r = 0.363). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that neopterin could be associated with the severity of carotid atherosclerosis in hemodialysis patients.

Which Parameter Is More Influential on the Development of Arteriosclerosis in Hemodialysis Patients?

Arteriosclerosis is characterized by stiffening of arteries. The incremental elastic modulus (Einc) measurement is a good marker of arterial wall stiffness. Arteriosclerosis is characterized by stiffening of arteries. Metabolic, inflammatory, and hemodynamic alterations cause structural changes and vascular complications in end‐stage renal disease. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the factors that may affect the development of arteriosclerosis by measurement of Einc in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Thirty‐two patients (16 men and 16 women) on chronic HD with a mean age of 42.2 ± 19.3 (range, 15–80) were included in the study. The carotid Einc was measured to determine arteriosclerosis by high‐resolution echo‐tracking system. Einc measurement was calculated from transcutaneous measurements of carotid arterial internal diameter and wall thickness and carotid pulse pressure. Common carotid compliance (CCC) and distensibility (CCD) were determined from changes in carotid artery diameter during systole and simultaneously measured carotid pulse pressure. Serum levels of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), parathormone (PTH), ferritin, C‐reactive protein (CRP), predialysis systolic blood pressure (SBP), predialysis diastolic blood pressure (DBP), pulse pressure (PP), age, HD duration, CCC, and CCD were correlated with Einc in all patients. A significant positive correlation was found between Einc and age (r = 0.40, p &lt; 0.02), SBP (r = 0.39, p &lt; 0.02), PP (r = 0.40, p &lt; 0.02), Ca (r = 0.43, p &lt; 0.01), CRP (r = 0.38, p &lt; 0.02). As expected, Einc was correlated inversely with CCD (r = −0.77, p &lt; 0.0001). The correlation between Einc and HD duration, DBP, ferritin, P, PTH, and CCC was not significant. In conclusion, the stiffening of carotid artery in HD patients is related not only to hemodynamic changes (increased SBP and PP) but also to metabolic (increased Ca) and inflammatory (increased CRP) responses. Carotid Einc is an accepted independent risk factor for cardiovascular mortality. Because of the positive correlation between Einc and serum Ca, vitamin D and Ca‐containing P binder should be used carefully in HD patients.

Asymptomatic occlusive lesions of cerebral arteries in Japanese hemodialysis patients.

While cerebrovascular diseases (CVD) are very common in hemodialysis (HD) patients, the prevalence and risk factors of asymptomatic occlusive lesions (AOL) of cerebral arteries in HD patients have not yet been elucidated. We performed cerebral magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) on 123 HD patients without symptomatic cerebrovascular disease and on 52 control subjects. On the basis of these images, we investigated the prevalence and risk factors of AOL. Stenosis greater than 25% narrowing of the cerebral arteries was found in 27 HD patients. The prevalence of AOL of cerebral arteries in HD patients was significantly higher than in the control group [27 (22.0%) versus 4 patients (7.7%), chi.2=4.2, p=0.0411]. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that independent risk factors of AOL of cerebral arteries were uremic state, dyslipidemia, and age in all subjects and dyslipidemia and age in HD patients (R.2=0.162, p=0.0004; R.2 =0.138, p=0.0145, respectively). Our findings suggest that chronic renal failure maintained by hemodialysis increases the prevalence of AOL, and that age and dyslipidemia are also significantly associated with AOL in HD patients.

Which Parameter Is More Influential on the Development of Arteriosclerosis in Hemodialysis Patients?

Arteriosclerosis is characterized by stiffening of arteries. The incremental elastic modulus (Einc) measurement is a good marker of arterial wall stiffness. Metabolic, inflammatory and hemodynamic alterations cause structural changes and vascular complications in end stage renal disease. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the factors that may affect the development of arteriosclerosis by measurement of Einc in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Thirty-two patients (16 men; 16 female) on chronic HD with a mean age of 42.2 ± 19.3 (range: 15–80) were included in the study. The carotid Einc was measured to determine arteriosclerosis by high-resolution echo-tracking system (Acuson Aspen, Acuson Corp., Mountain View, California, USA). Einc measurement was calculated from transcutaneous measurements of common carotid arterial (CCA) internal diameter and wall thickness and carotid pulse pressure. Common carotid compliance and distensibility were determined from changes in carotid artery diameter during systole and simultaneously measured carotid pulse pressure. Common carotid artery stuffiness (Einc) was influenced by age, systolic blood pressure (SBP), pulse pressure (PP), calcium (Ca) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The distensibility of CCA was correlated with age, SBP, diastolic blood pressure (DBP), PP, Ca, ALP, and parathormone (PTH). The inflammatory parameter, hs-CRP, was increased with Einc. The mean Einc measurement was found significantly increased in patient receiving vitamin D. In conclusion, the stiffening of carotid artery in HD patients is related not only to hemodynamic changes (increased SBP, PP) but also to metabolic (increased Ca) and to inflammation (increased hs-CRP). Carotid Einc is accepted independent risk factor for cardiovascular mortality. Because of the positive correlation between Einc and serum Ca, vitamin D and Ca containing phosphorus (P) binders should be used carefully.

Structure and function of the left ventricle and carotid artery in hemodialysis patients.

Hemodialysis patients frequently show associated hypertension, which can lead to a number of cardiovascular complications. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of hypertension on the structure and function of the carotid artery and left ventricle (LV) in hemodialysis patients. In addition, we investigated the contribution of hemodialysis and other risk factors. Fifty-two hemodialysis patients, 71 hypertensive patients (HT group) and 30 normotensive subjects (NT group) were included in this study. Hemodialysis patients were divided into two groups: 35 patients with hypertension (HDHT group), and 17 patients without hypertension (HDNT group). We measured intima-media thickness (IMT), plaque score, end-diastolic diameter, and stiffness index beta of the carotid artery by ultrasonography, and LV mass index (LVMi), endocardial fractional shortening (FS), and midwall FS (MWS) by echocardiography. A multiple stepwise regression analysis including hemodialysis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and other risk factors was also performed. IMT was significantly higher in the HT and HDHT groups than in the NT group. Plaque score and diameter of the carotid artery were higher in the HDHT group than in the other three groups. The stiffness index beta was higher in the HDHT group than in the non-hemodialysis groups. In multivariate analysis, IMT was independently correlated with age and hypertension. Plaque score and stiffness index beta were independently associated with age, hypertension, and hemodialysis. LVMi was higher in HT and hemodialysis-patients groups than in the NT group. Hypertension and hemodialysis were strong and independent predictors of LVMi. FS showed no significant differences among the four groups, but MWS was significantly lower among the hemodialysis patients than in the NT group. MWS was independently correlated with hemodialysis and diabetes. In conclusion, hemodialysis per se advanced both atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis of the carotid artery. Moreover, it increased LVMi and caused cardiac dysfunction. Associated hypertension might thus accelerate the progression of atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis of the carotid artery and the increase of LVMi.