| Theme | Kidney transplantation and bone metabolism | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Vascular calcification in kidney transplant recipients | |
| Publish Date | 2011/01 | |
| Author | Nobuhiko Joki | Division of Nephrology, Toho University Ohashi Medical Center |
| Author | Yuri Tanaka | Division of Nephrology, Toho University Ohashi Medical Center |
| [ Summary ] | A high prevalence of vascular calcification has been identified, and is known better in the setting of patients with stage 5 CKD. However, a high prevalence of vascular calcifi cations has also been demonstrated in the earliest phases of CKD. A recent study exhibited that 40 % patients with CKD and a mean GFR of 33 ml/min showed 40 % of coronary artery calcifications (CAC) compared with 13 % in control subjects of similar age with no renal impairment. Because kidney transplantation normalizes blood phosphateand calcium levels, it likewise may halt the progression of vascular calcification. However, transplantation is also associated with several atherogenic factors. Thus, it remains unclear whether the rapid progression of dialysis-associated CAC is ameliorated after kidney transplantation. A number of recent reports have focused on this issue. | |