07.03 FETUIN-A is Independently Associated with Progressive Aortic Stiffness in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Background There is a disproportionate burden of vascular disease in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Both aortic stiffness, as measured by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (C-F PWV), and deficiency in inhibitors of vascular calcification, such as Fetuin-A, have been implicated in the higher rates of cardiovascular mortality observed in this population. We sought to determine whether Fetuin-A concentration was inversely associated with progressive aortic stiffness. Methods 54 stable outpatients enrolled in a prospective cohort study of cardiovascular risk in CKD stages 3 and 4 underwent measurement of C-F PWV using Complior under standardized conditions at baseline and12months. Baseline plasma Fetuin-A concentration was determined using the Biovendor ELISA kit. Results The population was aged 68.0±10.4years, 80% male, 11% diabetic with a mean eGFR of 32.0±11.5. Baseline Fetuin-A did not correlate with patient age, eGFR, mean arterial blood pressure, albumin, calcium-phosphate product, parathyroid hormone or CRP. Baseline Fetuin-A was inversely correlated with the change in PWV over 1 year (rho = -0.52, p