Measurement of coronary artery calcification with multi-slice spiral computed tomography and the associated factors in maintenance hemodialysis patients

Objective To investigate the factors correlated to coronary artery calcification (CAC) in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Methods This study included 132 patients(54 females, 78 males), aged 26-94 years, who were on hemodialysis for 10-204 months(median dialysis duration 51.00 months). The parameters including calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, triglycerides, C - reactive protein (CRP), klotho, and so on were assessed. Quantification of CAC was determined by multi-slice spiral computed tomography (MSCT), known as the coronary artery calcification score (CACs). Results Ninety-two patients (69.70%) had CAC, with CACs ranging from 0 to 13 450.20. More than 30% patients experienced one even a variety of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. A positive correlation was observed between the degree of CAC and the incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Whereas a positive correlation existed between CACs and age (r=0.347, P=0.000), duration of hemodialysis (r=0.245, P= 0.005), systolic blood pressure (r=0.184, P=0.034), diabetes history (r=0.211, P=0.015), phosphorus (r= 0.262, P=0.002), calcium-phosphorus product (r=0.247, P=0.004); and a negative correlation between CACs and klotho level (r=-0.294, P=0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the main factor influencing the degree of CAC in MHD patients was age. Conclusions CAC is common and widespread in hemodialysis patients, who are often accompanied by cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The prevalence rate of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases increases with the aggravation of CAC degree. Age, duration of hemodialysis, systolic blood pressure, diabetes history, disturbance of calcium and phosphorus metabolism and klotho are correlated with the severity of CAC. Age is an independent risk factor of CAC degree.