Carotid intima-media thickness as a marker of atherosclerosis in hemodialysis patients

Atherosclerotic changes in carotid arteries of hemodialysis (HD) patients reflect global atherosclerotic changes in vasculature. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) can be used for atherosclerosis prediction and assessment of cardiovascular risks in HD patients, and thus screening high-risk patients. In this cross-sectional study, CIMT was measured using ultrasonography (B-mode with 5-10-MHz multifrequency linear probe) in HD patients in our hospitals. Additionally, we assessed the relationship between their CIMT and some cardiovascular risk factors. A total of 62 HD patients (64.5% male) were included. Age, body mass index, low-density lipoprotein, fasting blood sugar, history of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease, serum albumin, and duration and adequacy of HD in study patients had significant association with their CIMT. There were no significant relationships between CIMT and patient's gender, smoking, serum calcium, phosphate, calcium x phosphate product, hemoglobin, and uric acid level. More diagnostic modalities must be performed for detecting the impact of atherosclerosis on HD patients with high CIMT.