Quantified vascular calcification at the dialysis access site: Correlations with the coronary artery calcium score and survival analysis of access and cardiovascular outcomes

Abstract

Vascular calcification is a major contributor to mortality in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. In this study, we investigated whether there was a correlation between the coronary artery calcium score (CACS) and the vascular calcification score (VCS), and whether higher VCS increased the incidence of interventions and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). ECG-gated CT, including vascular access and the coronary vessel, was taken. CACS and VCS were calculated by the Agatston method. A comparison of CACS and survival analysis according to VCS groups was performed. Using a cutoff of VCS = 500, 77 patients were divided into two groups. The vintage was significantly older in the higher VCS group. The median CACS was higher in the higher VCS group (21 [0, 171] vs. 552 [93, 2430], p < 0.001). The hazard ratio (HR) for interventions and MACCEs in the higher VCS group increased by 3.2 and 2.3, respectively. Additionally, a longer duration of hemodialysis and higher magnesium levels (>2.5 mg/dL) showed lower HRs for interventions (<1). We quantified VCS and found that it was associated with the CACS. Additionally, higher VCS increased the risk of access interventions and MACCE. VCS of the access site may be suggested as a biomarker to predict ESRD patients.