title: Impact of vascular calcification on corrected QT interval at the time of renal transplantation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Sudden death is the major cause of cardiac mortality in dialysis patients, accounting for approximately 60% of cardiovascular deaths. A prolonged QT interval and arterial calcification have been associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in different patient populations including patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). In the present study, we aimed to elucidate the association of vascular calcification with corrected QT interval duration in patients with end-stage renal disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a single-center cross-sectional study in patients referred for renal transplantation. Patients taking QT-prolonging agents or with conduction abnormalities were excluded. Aortic calcifications were scored by means of lumbar X-rays.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the final analysis, 193 patients (118 men, 52 years old) were included. A prolonged QT interval was observed in 26% of the patients. Multivariate analysis showed an independent and direct association between corrected QT duration and the extent of aortic calcifications (p = 0.0004) independent of age, gender, cardiovascular history, electrolytes and parameters of mineral metabolism.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A prolonged QT interval is prevalent in patients with CKD stage 5D. Aortic calcification is associated with a prolonged QT duration, independent of traditional determinants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology and Renal Transplantation, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium. kathleen.claes@uzleuven.be
authors.forename: Kathleen J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Claes
authors.forename: Sam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Heye
authors.forename: Dieter
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nuyens
authors.forename: Bert
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bammens
authors.forename: Dirk R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Kuypers
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Vanrenterghem
authors.forename: Pieter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Evenepoel
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001011:Aorta / Q000473:pathology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D004573:Electrolytes; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011863:Radioimmunoassay / Q000379:methods; D012737:Sex Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D061205:Vascular Calcification / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D004573:Electrolytes