Risk Factors for Aortic Valve Calcification in Patients on Regular Hemodialysis

Abstract

Introduction Aortic valve calcification (AVC) accelerates development of aortic valve stenosis and cardiovascular complications. Hyperphosphatemia is one of the key risk factors for aortic valve calcification. Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of AVC in patients on regular hemodialysis and to assess the impact of different factors on its appearance. Method: The study investigated a total of 115 patients treated in the Hemodialysis Department of the Urology and Nephrology Clinic at the Kragujevac Clinical Center in Serbia. The variables investigated were: serum albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), homocysteine, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), Apolipoprotein A-I (Apo A-I), Apolipoprotein B (Apo B) and lipoprotein (a), calcium, phosphate and parathormone, and calcium-phosphorus product (Ca × P). Patients were evaluated by echocardiography for AVC. Statistical analysis included univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results Univariate regression analysis showed that serum phosphate levels and Ca × P are the most important risk factors for AVC (p<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that hyperphosphatemia is an independent risk factor for AVC (p<0.001). Conclusion Hyperphosphatemia is an independent risk factor for aortic valve calcification.