Association Between Carotid Artery Intima-Media Thickness and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in CKD

Background: Common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT) correlates with cardiovascular events in the general population and is an independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality in the hemodialysis population. It has not been evaluated extensively in patients with chronic kidney disease. Methods: CCA-IMT was measured by using high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was measured by means of EDTA clearance. Cardiovascular risk factors assessed included homocysteine and lipoprotein(a) levels, as well as smoking, blood pressure, and cholesterol level. Results: One hundred fourteen patients were studied; mean measured GFR was 29.6 ± 18.4 mL/min/1.73 m2 (0.49 ± 0.31 mL/s). CCA-IMT was significantly elevated (0.59 ± 0.22 cm) compared with a control group (0.44 ± 0.08 cm; P = 0.0012). CCA-IMT increases with age (P < 0.0001) and low-density lipoprotein level (P = 0.048) and decreases with high-density lipoprotein level (P = 0.001) and being white (P = 0.014). Conclusion: This study suggests that arterial changes occur early in the course of renal disease progression and may be related to dyslipidemia in the early stages.