title: Prevalence and determinants of coronary and aortic calcifications assessed by chest CT in renal transplant recipients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Coronary artery calcifications independently predict cardiovascular events (CVE) in the general population. We assessed the prevalence and determinants of coronary (CAC) and thoracic aorta (AoC) calcifications in renal transplant recipients (RTR).
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive RTR living in Belgium, with an isolated kidney graft functioning for more than 1 year, were asked to participate. They underwent a 16-slice spiral computerized tomography in order to measure calcium mass. Demographic, clinical, biochemical and urinary parameters were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We included 281 patients. CAC and AoC were detected in 81 and 85%, with geometric means (SD) of 52.2 (4.9) and 99.3 (8.2) mg, respectively. By multiple linear regression, independent predictors of both types of calcifications included older age, longer time on dialysis, a history of CVE, of multiple transplantations and of smoking. Other determinants of CAC were male gender, current statin use and history of parathyroidectomy, and other determinants of AoC included higher pulse pressure, shorter time under mycophenolate mofetil and current use of anti-vitamin-K.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of both CAC and AoC is substantial in RTR. We delineate independent determinants either common to both CAC and AoC or specific to one, and known as classic or chronic kidney disease related risk factors.
authors.affiliation: Nephrology, Cliniques universitaires St-Luc, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Pauline T H
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Coche
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Goffin
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Beguin
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vlassenbroek
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Devuyst
authors.forename: Annie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Robert
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jadoul
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D013256:Steroids