title: Prospective study of changes in arterial stiffness among kidney-transplanted patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic kidney disease is one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Changes in stiffness parameters can predict the higher risk of the development of cardiovascular disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cadaveric donor kidney transplant patients (n=184) were followed in a cross-sectional single-center study. Arterial stiffness parameters were measured by arteriography. We analyzed the correlation between stiffness parameters and immunosuppressive therapy, the main operation parameters, patient age, elapsed time since transplantation, carotid artery stenosis, and septual wall thickness. We enrolled 24 patients in a 3-year longitudinal study to analyze changes in stiffness parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our cross-sectional study showed pulse wave velocity (PWV) to be significantly related to the age of the patient (P=.0001; r=0.41). There was no significant correlation between the stiffness parameters and type or dosage of immunosuppressive drugs and number of transplantations. We noted significant correlations between pulse pressure (PP) and pulse wave velocity (PWV), and augmentation index (AI) (P=.01). Patients with abnormal PWV (>12 m/s) showed significantly higher systolic blood pressures, body mass indexes, PP, and AI (P<.01). Our 3-year longitudinal study revealed a significant elevation in PWV.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Improving endothelial function and prevention of atherosclerosis may help to reduce cardiovascular complications. Among chronic kidney disease patients, early transplantation is a possible way to prevent cardiovascular events. It is better to perform the transplantation at as early an age as possible.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Surgery, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary. drkovacsdavid@gmail.com
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kovács
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Szabó
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fedor
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Laczik
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Soltész
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Locsey
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Asztalos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001158:Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D003187:Compliance; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058729:Peripheral Arterial Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011673:Pulsatile Flow; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000098:blood supply*
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents