The risk of death in patients with a high coronary calcification score: does it include predialysis patients?
High coronary artery calcification score (CACS) assessed by computed tomography is related to mortality in asymptomatic patients with normal kidney function. The predictive value of CACS is still disputed in patients with end-stage renal disease and is unknown in patients with pre-terminal renal failure. Chiu and co-workers provide evidence that CACS is associated with mortality also in patients with chronic kidney disease not yet on dialysis.
Department of Internal Medicine III, Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Medical University Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. martin.haas@meduniwien.ac.at
Martin H
MH
Haas
D002114:Calcinosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality*; D009026:Mortality; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality*; D012306:Risk; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods