title: Effect of parathyroid hormone levels on carotid intima-media thickness after renal transplantation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The present study aimed to investigate the intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH)-dependent evolution of common carotid intima-media thickness (CC IMT) in renal transplant recipients (RTR) within a 12-month follow-up, ie, before (E0) and 3 months (E3), 6 months (E6), and 12 months after renal transplantation (RTX).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 55 normotensive patients, aged 47 +/- 1.7 years, underwent a RTX. The graft function was stable (clearanceCockroft >60 mL/min and S-creatinine <2.5 mg/dL) in all patients throughout the follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 67% of the RTR, the iPTH levels were classified as high at E0 (E6: 63%; E6: 49%; E12: 67%). The plasma iPTH levels decreased after RTX (P < .01). The arterial blood pressure remained stable. The CC IMT was positively and independently correlated with age (P < .01), gender (P < .01), and iPTH levels (P < .01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Normalization of iPTH levels is associated with a significant intima-media thickness (IMT) reduction. The increased IMT in renal transplant recipients may contribute to the high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with end-stage renal failure.
authors.affiliation: Medical Department D, University of Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Suwelack
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Gerhardt
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Witta
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Hillebrandt
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hohage
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000473:pathology*; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D010281:Parathyroid Hormone