LAUSR

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation between aortic calcification and demographic and biochemical parameters in hemodialysis patients. SUMMARY Calcification scores of the aortic arch and abdominal aorta were determined from multi-slice computed tomography scans and evaluated according to the Agatston score. The associations between demographic and biochemical parameters and aortic calcification score were determined. In total, 190 patients were included in the study. There was a significant positive correlation between aortic calcification scores and age, duration of hemodialysis, cardiothoracic ratio, normalized protein catabolic rate, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), serum markers of mineral metabolism, and inflammation. A significant negative correlation was found between aortic calcification scores and platelet count. Multivariate analysis showed that age, duration of hemodialysis, baPWV, phosphate, calcium and phosphate (Ca×P) product, parathyroid hormone, and C-reactive protein levels were independent risk factors for calcification of the aortic arch, while baPWV and Ca×P product were independent risk factors for calcification of the abdominal aorta. Key Messages: Aortic calcification scores correlate with age, duration of hemodialysis, and several biochemical parameters of inflammation and mineral metabolism.