Evaluation of atherosclerosis in renal transplanted patients by non-invasive methods.
BACKGROUND
Endothelial dysfunction can be considered an early atherogenic event.


OBJECTIVE
To assess atherosclerosis in renal transplanted patients through the coronary calcium score, carotid duplex scan and brachial reactivity through ultrasonography.


METHODS
We assessed 30 renal transplanted male patients with stable renal function, with a mean age of 41.3 years.


RESULTS
The detection of the atherosclerotic load in this population was very significant when the brachial reactivity technique was used (86.7%); it was less frequent when based on the presence of carotid plaque (33.3%) or the coronary calcium score (20%). The carotid plaque was considered when the thickness was > 12 mm. The coronary calcium score was abnormal when > 80 according to the Agatston scale, being observed in a low percentage of patients (21.7%), possibly due to the fact that the tomography is not the ideal method to detect atherosclerosis in renal patients, as it does not differentiates intimal calcifications of the medial layer. The adequate clinical control, the low age range and the factors related to the time of pre-transplant dialysis or the anti-inflammatory effect of the post-transplant drugs can delay the onset of the calcifications.


CONCLUSIONS
The evaluation of the atherosclerotic load through the carotid duplex scan (33,3%) and the coronary calcium score (20%) was not frequent; there was no correlation with the high rate of endothelial dysfunction detection observed with the brachial reactivity assessment (86.7%).
Schettino
Cláudio Domênico Sahione
CD
Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil. cdomenico@gaveacor.com.br
Siqueira Filho
Aristarco Gonçalves
AG
Domingues
Romeu Cortes
RC
Kuroki
Iugiro
I
Deus
Flávia Cristina Carvalho de
FC
Gonçalves
Renato Torres
RT
Torres
Hélio Magarino
HM
Gasparetto
Emerson
E
Pacheco
Lúcio Cardoso
LC
Rocha
Eduardo
E
D000328:Adult; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000473:pathology; D003935:Diagnostic Techniques, Cardiovascular / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult
D002118:Calcium