Analysis on coronary artery calcification-related factors in renal transplant recipients

Objective To investigate the factors related to coronary artery calcification (CAC) in renal transplant recipients. Methods Forty-six renal transplant recipients were enrolled. CAC was detected by multislice spiral CT scan (MSCT) and quantified. Blood pressure, duration of dialysis, and duration of transplantation were recorded. Serum fetuin A, calcium, phosphonium, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) were examined. The relationship of CAC to risk factors was analyzed. And patients were followed up and retested 12 months later. Results There were significant differences in age, duration of dialysis, serum fetuin A, hs-CRP, LDL and calcium between CAC group (15 patients) and non-CAC group (31 patients) (P<0.05). Multivariable Logistic regression analysis showed that age and serum LDL were independently correlated to CAC. Serum fetuin A, LDL, hs-CRP, age and duration of dialysis in these 46 patients were related with CAC score. There was significant progression in CAC in these 26 patients who retested 12 months later (P<0.05). Conclusions The trend of CAC was moving forward in renal transplant recipients. Serum fetuin A, LDL, hs-CRP, age and duration of dialysis were related with CAC score. Age and serum LDL were independently correlated to CAC.