Increased incidence of carotid artery wall changes and associated variables in hemodialysis patients without symptomatic cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is still the major cause of the morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. The characteristics of major arterial changes, atherosclerosis and related risk factors in HD patients remain unclear. We aimed to evaluate the atherosclerotic process in asymptomatic HD patients and healthy volunteers, and to determine the association between the risk factor(s) and the atherosclerotic process in these groups. 92 HD patients (female: 43, male: 49) and 62 age and sex matched healthy volunteers (female: 27, male: 35) were enrolled in this study. Diabetics, smokers, and patients with symptomatic CVD were excluded. The right and left carotid intima-media thicknesses (CIMTs) were measured and plaque structures were studied by B-mode ultrasound. The mean CIMT in patients and control group were 0.79 +/- 0.16 mm and 0.54 +/- 0.09 mm, respectively. Mean CIMT in HD patients was thicker (p < 0.001) and the presence ratio of plaque was higher in patients group (n=38, %61.2 vs n=9, %17.3) (p < 0.001). Calcified type of plaque was more frequent in HD patients than control group. Age (r=0.48, p < 0.001), left ventricular mass (r=0.42, p < 0.05), and homocysteine (r=0.46, p < 0.01), mean hematocrit (r=-0.36, p < 0.05), plasma CRP (r=0.50, p < 0.001), ESR (r=0.43, p < 0.01) and albumin (r= -0.34, p < 0.05) levels were correlated with the CIMT measurements and plaque presence, significantly. -CIMT as an atherosclerotic process indicator is thicker in asymptomatic HD patients than healthy subjects. We concluded that in addition to various classical risk factors, uremic environment may also contribute to acceleration of the atherosclerotic process.