Clinical and experimental nephrology
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Clin. Exp. Nephrol. · Dec 2011
Vascular calcification estimated by aortic calcification area index is a significant predictive parameter of cardiovascular mortality in hemodialysis patients.
Vascular calcification is a feature of arteriosclerosis. In hemodialysis (HD) patients, vascular calcification progresses rapidly. This study used the aortic calcification area index (ACAI), an index of vascular calcification, to evaluate vascular calcification factors in HD patients, to investigate correlations between ACAI and long-term prognosis and to assess correlations between various factors and long-term prognosis. ⋯ High ACAI was clearly correlated with mortality rate in HD patients, particularly cardiovascular mortality rate. ACAI was a useful long-term prognostic indicator in HD patients.