Pulse wave velocity in children following renal transplantation

Background. Arterial stiffness (ASt) increases with age, a process accelerated by uraemia and reversed by transplantation (Tx). Increased ASt results in an elevated pulse wave velocity (PWV). Methods. To compare the PWV of Tx patients (n = 25, age = 15.1/95% CI = 13.5–16.7/year) and healthy controls, three control groups were formed: matched for age (A), for height and weight (H/W) and for age and height (A/H), respectively. To avoid bias from the growth deficit of Tx, firstly Z-scores of PWV were calculated (PWV-Z). Second, the PWV/height (PWV/h) ratio was assessed. Pre-Tx serum Ca, P, PTH and the cumulative dose of calcitriol (cCTL) were also analysed. Finally, Tx patients were compared to ESRD patients (n = 11). PWV was measured by applanation tonometry. Results. Tx were smaller than A and older than H/W. The PWV of Tx differed only from H/W and A/H. PWV-Z and PWV/h of Tx were increased compared to all control groups. They correlated with the Ca×P and cCTL before Tx and were independent of age. Patients with creatinine clearance >90 ml/min/1.73 m2 or