Abstract:

Abstract Objectives: To study the relationship between pulse wave velocity (PWV) / ankle brachial index (ABI) and different vascular calcification, and their predicting ability of vascular calcification in patients with maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). Methodology: One hundred and thirty one patients with MHD were enrolled in this study. The examination of X-ray was applied to diagnose vascular calcification. PWV and ABI were measured by non-invasive vascular screening device. Spearson analysis was applied to study the correlation between ABI/PWV and vascular calcification. ROC curve was applied to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis of vascular calcification by ABI/PWV.  Results: X-ray showed a positive correlation between peripheral and large vascular calcification score（P<0.01）. ABI was negatively correlated with general, large and peripheral vascular calcification score (P<0.05). PWV was positively correlated with general and large vascular calcification score (P<0.05) except peripheral vascular calcification score. ROC curve revealed an AUC>0.5 for PWV and an AUC<0.5 for ABI in diagnosis of different vascular calcification. Conclusion: An intimate relationship between PWV/ABI and vascular calcification in MHD patients was demonstrated. PWV can be a screening index for vascular calcification especially for abdominal aorta calcification; but ABI could not apply successfully for vascular calcification diagnosis. 

Key words: hemodialysis , vascular calcification , pulse wave velocity , ankle brachial index