title: Qualification of arterial stiffness as a risk factor to the progression of chronic kidney diseases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Reflection pressure may influence the clinical course of chronic kidney diseases (CKDs). The relationship between the augmentation index (AI) and progression of non-diabetic CKDs was characterized.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-nine patients were enrolled into the study. Pulse wave form analysis was performed to determine AI that assesses arterial stiffness.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In a cross-sectional study, a multiple regression analysis found that AI correlated positively to age and weight, and negatively to height and heart rate (R(2) = 0.50). Furthermore, echocardiography was performed in 51 patients who gave their consent. In male patients under angiotensin inhibition, left ventricular mass index increased as AI was elevated (r = 0.33, slope = 0.85 +/- 0.30 g/m(2)/%, p < 0.05, n = 23). A prospective study was performed in 41 patients who consented to having their creatinine clearance measured repeatedly. In the patients with angiotensin inhibition a higher basal AI resulted in a greater annual decrease in creatinine clearance (r = -0.52, slope = -0.43 +/- 0.14 ml/min/year/%, p < 0.01, n = 27).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present data indicate that AI as well as angiotensin contribute to the development of left ventricular hypertrophy. Furthermore, our results suggest that in addition to angiotensin, AI is a risk factor of progression of non-diabetic CKDs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Saitama Medical College, 38 Moro-hongo Moroyama, Iruma Saitama 350-0495, Japan.
authors.forename: Tsuneo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takenaka
authors.forename: Taku
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mimura
authors.forename: Yoshihiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kanno
authors.forename: Hiromichi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Suzuki
mesh_terms: D000809:Angiotensins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D001158:Arteries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006332:Cardiomegaly / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D004452:Echocardiography; D004548:Elasticity; D005260:Female; D006352:Heart Ventricles; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000809:Angiotensins; D003404:Creatinine