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BACKGROUNDS AND AIMS Cardiovascular calcification is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Vascular and valvular calcification are indicators of increased tissue calcification. The relationship of osteopontin (OPN) - which is known as a vascular calcification inhibitor - and fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) - which its related to vascular calcification, as recently shown - to valvular calcification is unknown. In this cross-sectional study, we examined the relationship between heart valve calcification, serum OPN, and FGF-23 levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS 85 adults who were on HD treatment for at least 6 months were included in the study. Echocardiographic evaluation was made with the General Electric echocardiography device and the same cardiologist. FGF-23 and osteopontin levels were measured by ELISA. RESULTS 54% of our patients were male, mean age was 49.8 ± 15.1 years, and mean HD duration was 52.5 ± 39.6 months. 34% of the patients were diabetic, and 17.6% had a history of coronary artery disease. 1.25 mmol/L calcium were used as dialysate calcium in 84.7% of the patients. 60% of the patients were on vitamin D replacement therapy, and 7.1% were receiving cinacalcet treatment. Valvular calcification ratio of the patients was 44%. Mean FGF-23 level was 682 ± 771.7 pg/mL, and mean OPN level was 22.2 ± 8.2 ng/mL. When the patients with and without heart valve calcification were compared, the group with heart valve calcification was older and had lower serum OPN levels. There were differences between the groups on left atrial diameters, left ventricular end-diastolic diameters, and posterior-wall thicknesses. In the logistic regression analysis, it was seen that age and serum OPN levels were predictors of valvular calcification. CONCLUSION Serum osteopontin level is associated with heart valve calcification in HD patients, but there was no relationship found with FGF-23. Further research is needed on the subject.
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