PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Adrian Covic

Publications and source records attributed to Adrian Covic.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2026

Effects of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Dual GIP/GLP-1 Receptor Agonists on Inflammatory and Metabolic Biomarkers in Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) and dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonists improve cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but their effects on inflammatory and oxidative biomarkers are not fully defined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library from inception to 19 February 2026 for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in adults with T2DM comparing a GLP-1RA or dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist with placebo or active therapy, and reporting C-reactive protein (CRP or high-sensitivity CRP [hs-CRP]), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), malondialdehyde (MDA) or adiponectin. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted using standardised mean differences (SMDs). RESULTS: Forty-one RCTs were included. GLP-1RAs significantly reduced CRP/hs-CRP (27 studies, 1991 participants; SMD -0.37, 95% CI -0.59 to -0.14) and MDA (3 studies, 272 participants; SMD -0.98, 95% CI -1.65 to -0.30), and increased adiponectin (16 studies, 1327 participants; SMD 0.30, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.46). Pooled effects on IL-6 (17 studies, 1068 participants; SMD -0.14, 95% CI -0.37 to 0.10), TNF-α (16 studies, 1164 participants; SMD -0.25, 95% CI -0.61 to 0.12) and MCP-1 (7 studies, 450 participants; SMD -0.27, 95% CI -0.58 to 0.03) were not statistically significant, although MCP-1 decreased in sensitivity analyses. Across biomarkers, heterogeneity was moderate to high. Two tirzepatide RCTs (562 participants) showed a significant reduction in IL-6 (SMD -0.28, 95% CI -0.47 to -0.09) and a non-significant trend towards lower CRP/hs-CRP. CONCLUSIONS: In adults with T2DM, incretin-based therapies consistently lower CRP/hs-CRP, reduce oxidative stress (MDA) and increase adiponectin, while effects on IL-6 and TNF-α are more variable. These data support a selective anti-inflammatory and metabolic regulatory profile of GLP-1-based therapy, but heterogeneity and limited data for some biomarkers warrant cautious interpretation and further mechanistic studies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO number: CRD420261321430.

Humans↗
PubMed2007

Acute liver failure due to leptospirosis successfully treated with MARS (molecular adsorbent recirculating system) dialysis.

BACKGROUND: Leptospirosis is a re-emerging infectious disease, which may lead to multiple organ failure (MOF)and death. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the first case of severe leptospirosis complicated with acute renal and liver failure, successfully treated with albumin dialysis--molecular adsorbent recirculating system (MARS). Despite antibiotic therapy, optimum medical supportive treatment and timely initiated haemodialysis, the outcome was complicated by severe liver failure: hepatic encephalopathy grade III, hypoglycemia, prominent hyperbilirubinemia (TBIL 31.3 mg/dl, DBIL 28.6 mg/dl)and hepatic cytolysis (ALT 535 IU/l, AST 179 IU/l) and prolongation of the prothrombine time (68.4 sec). The patient underwent two sesions of albumin dialysis with the MARS procedure with complete recovery of hepatic and renal function. CONCLUSION: Albumin dialysis may confer a significant survival benefit on patients with leptospirosis-induced acute liver failure (ALF).

Alanine Transaminase↗
PubMed2006

Treatment of proliferative lupus nephritis--a critical approach.

OBJECTIVES: To discuss the current management of proliferative lupus nephritis (PLN), with a focus on strategies to improve long-term outcome and reduce treatment toxicity while minimizing the risk of relapse. METHODS: The literature on treatment strategies used in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and PLN from 1975 to 2006, using PubMed from the National Library of Medicine, was reviewed. RESULTS: The high efficacy of the standard therapeutic regimen of PLN, traditionally associating cyclophosphamide (CYC) with corticosteroids (CS), has markedly ameliorated the prognosis of the disease, with more than 80% of patients achieving complete or partial remission. The ameliorated renal prognosis has positively influenced the general survival rates. Ten-year survival rates now surpass 75% and continue to improve. In view of the improved survival, the major aims of treatment now include preventing long-term organ damage and minimizing treatment toxicity, which can contribute significantly to the chronic morbidity and mortality of lupus. A number of high-quality trials have been reported, making us more confident of the value of different immunosuppressive protocols, and several novel immunosuppressive drugs are still under investigation. CONCLUSION: Recent basic and clinical research has enormously improved our understanding of the pathogenesis of SLE and has suggested new, targeted approaches to therapy. These targeted novel therapies are expected to help the patients with PLN in the next decade.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed2006

Renal corpuscle morphometry with increased reliability and high level of automation.

The paper presents an original computerized histometric technique for renal biopsies that outlines the role of quantitative information in the morphologic analysis of renal corpuscle (RC). We investigated 10 cases diagnosed as rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) by randomly selecting 10 RCs from each case. Our technique is based on two algorithms (implemented in the Zeiss KS400) that process digital color images for extracting the morphometric features at two levels: (1) of a single RC and (2) of a whole case. The algorithm operating at level (1) includes instruments especially designed for ensuring the accuracy in the identification of the regions occupied by the RC components; it evaluates the areas of the RC components and their percentages relative to the total area of the RC. The novelty of the instruments lies in the usage of intermediate recoloring for multifold thresholding segmentation and in the mutual validation of the regions provided by red-green-blue (RGB) and hue-lightness-saturation (HLS) segmentation. The algorithm operating at level (2) averages the data obtained from all the RCs considered in a case. The proposed technique offers a high level of automation; it is reliable and repeatable. The basic principles of the presented technique can also be adapted to the histometric approaches of other pathology domains. Results illustrate the utilization of the technique at both levels. The extraction of the RC morphometric features allows for establishing a significant correlation between the quantitative and qualitative information. This may contribute to a better understanding of the RPGN evolution and, implicitly, to the refinement of the diagnosis.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2006

Arterial wave reflections and mortality in haemodialysis patients--only relevant in elderly, cardiovascularly compromised?

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients have a 3-30-fold increased risk of death compared with the general population. This mortality difference is even more pronounced in younger subjects. Two markers of aortic stiffness--aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AIx)--have been prospectively related to all-cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) populations. The aims of our study were first, to confirm the important deleterious effect of arterial stiffness in uraemia and second, to assess the impact on survival of increased AIx in a relatively young non-diabetic dialysis population, with minimal CV disease. METHODS: Ninety-two patients (mean age 42.6 +/- 11.2 years) were included in the study and followed for a period of 61 +/- 25 months. None of the patients had diabetes mellitus, and only 3.3% had prior history of CV disease. AIx was determined by applantation tonometry using a SphygmoCor device (AtCor, PWV Inc., Westmead, Sydney, Australia). RESULTS: Mean AIx in our study population was 19.9 +/- 13.7%; other significant haemodynamic parameters were: systolic blood pressure (SBP) 129 +/- 24 mmHg, pulse pressure 35.3 +/- 17.5 mmHg with 27.2% of the study population receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I). On univariate analysis, in our group AIx correlated with: body weight (P < 0.001), radial SBP (P < 0.001) and haemoglobin levels (P < 0.05). There was no correlation between AIx and any of the echocardiographic parameters. In the stepwise multiple regression analysis, the only independent predictors for AIx were weight (P < 0.001), SBP (P < 0.001) and haemoglobin (P < 0.05) with the model explaining 33% of the AIx variability (adjusted R(2) = 0.33). During the follow-up period, 15 deaths were recorded. In the Cox analysis (P = 0.014; chi square 20.7 for the model) the only independent predictors for all-cause mortality were age (P = 0.001), left ventricular mass index (P = 0.032) and ACE-I therapy (P = 0.039) while AIx did not reach statistical significance. There was no difference in patients' survival when divided by AIx tertiles, assessed by the log rank test (P = 0.78). CONCLUSION: Our results fail to support the notion that an increased effect of wave reflections on central arteries is a strong and independent predictor of mortality in all ESRD patients on haemodialysis. The effect of arterial wave reflections might be in fact dependent on patient age and concurrent comorbidity status.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Anaemia after renal transplantation--role of immunosuppressive drugs and a pathophysiological appraisal.

Improvements in patient care and longevity on dialysis programmes together with the increased numbers of patients referred for renal replacement therapy will inevitably result in enlarging numbers of subjects with functioning renal transplants. While this translates to a boon for the patients in terms of survival and quality of life, a very real problem has begun to emerge, that of post-transplantation anaemia (PTA). The prevalence of this condition has been estimated by several studies as varying somewhere between one third and two thirds of all patients, with the same attendant problems as anaemia in the context of chronic kidney disease. PTA is multifactorial in origin and involves interplay between a number of risk factors, not least of all the immunosuppressive protocol. It is the purpose of this article to briefly review the contribution from transplant immunosuppression to PTA and to assess its likely effects on and treatment options for patients.

Anemia↗
PubMed2006

Posttransplantation anemia in adult renal allograft recipients: prevalence and predictors.

BACKGROUND: Management of anemia is an important factor in the care of patients with chronic kidney disease as the anemic state can confer significant morbidity and mortality. Posttransplantation anemia (PTA) has received comparatively less attention in the literature, and the prevalence and predictors of PTA vary between different studies. The purpose of this study was to investigate a large posttransplant population from 3 centres in the UK to elucidate the point prevalence of PTA, its determinants and the use of erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESA) in these patients. METHODS: All adult patients with functioning renal transplants and attending renal transplant outpatients at Guy's, King's College, or St. Helier Hospitals, London, as of 31/12/2004 who had a valid hemoglobin in the previous 3 months, and who were more than 3 months postengraftment, were identified. Patients' notes and electronic patient records were obtained and a detailed cross-sectional clinical and biochemical database was constructed. The data were analyzed for the point prevalence of PTA, the prevalence of ESA use and for determinants of hemoglobin. The WHO criteria were used to define anemia and all patients on treatment with an ESA was classified as anemic irrespective of hemoglobin. RESULTS: A total of 1,511 (947 male) patients were studied. Mean age was 48.1+/-13.7 years with no difference between the sexes. Mean time posttransplantation was 8.5+/-7.2 years and mean estimated MDRD GFR was 47.6+/-18.9 ml/min with a higher GFR in males (49.9+/-19.0 v 43.8+/-18.0 mL/min, P<0.0001). Mean hemoglobin in the studied population was 12.9+/-1.6 g/dl with a significantly higher level among males than females (mean 13.3+/-1.6 v 12.3+/-1.4 g/dl, P<0.0001). The prevalence of anemia was 45.6% with a prevalence of 44.1% among males and 48.1% amongst females. Severe anemia was present in 50 subjects (3.3% of the total cohort). One hundred and forty-five patients (9.6% of the entire cohort) were being treated with an ESA. Of these subjects, 41 did not meet WHO criteria for the definition of anemia. After multiple regression analyses, age, female sex, renal function and to a lesser extent serum ferritin and therapy with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor blockers (both negatively associated) were predictive of hemoglobin. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of anemia posttransplantation was high while comparatively few patients were being treated with erythropoiesis stimulating agents. The strongest predictors of hemoglobin in this cohort of patients were age, female sex and allograft function. Medical therapy with MMF and sirolimus was associated with a high prevalence of anemia but this was likely to be the result of poorer graft function in these subjects who mostly had chronic allograft nephropathy. A large interventional prospective study with valid control groups is now needed to assess the long-term contributions of clinical and biochemical factors of renal function and to elucidate the effects of therapy on outcome.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Post-transplantation anaemia in adult and paediatric renal allograft recipients-Guy's Hospital experience.

BACKGROUND: The commonest cause of renal transplant loss is death with a functioning graft, usually from an excess of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Anaemia is becoming increasingly recognized as a reversible risk factor for the development of CVD. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of post-transplantation anaemia (PTA) in a large population of stable adult and paediatric renal transplants in one centre and to correlate the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), iron indices and the use of immunosuppressants with the prevalence of anaemia. METHODS: Every adult and paediatric patient with a functioning renal transplant and more than 3 months post-engraftment at Guy's hospital, London, as of 31 December 2004 and who had a valid creatinine and haemoglobin, in the period 1 September-31 December 2004 inclusive, was identified. A large database of clinical and biochemical indices was built up on the basis of medical notes and electronic patient records. Results were analysed for the prevalence of anaemia and risk factors for its development. Anaemia was defined according to the WHO criteria. All patients on treatment with an erythropoiesis stimulating agent were classified as anaemic, irrespective of haemoglobin. RESULTS: A total of 878 adults and 73 children were identified. Mean haemoglobin in adults was 12.9 +/- 1.6 g/dl and 11.8 +/- 1.4 g/dl in the children. Mean eGFR was 49.3 +/- 20.1 ml/min in adults and 65.7 +/- 18.8 ml/min in the paediatric cohort. Haemoglobin correlated positively with the eGFR in both cohorts (R = 0.33 and 0.29 in adults and children, respectively (P < 0.0001 for both)). We identified anaemia in 45.3% of adults and 22% in children. Ferritin levels were lower in children than in adults (79 +/- 93 vs 204 +/- 353 mg/l), but were higher in both cohorts among the non-anaemic populations than in those with anaemia. 58% of adults taking mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) were anaemic compared with 22% of children. One child, and 68 adults, were on recombinant erythropoietin. Multiple regression analyses identified age, female gender, eGFR and serum ferritin levels as independent predictors of haemoglobin in adult subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of PTA was high in both adult and paediatric cohorts while comparatively few patients were being treated with erythropoiesis stimulating agents. The strongest predictors of haemoglobin in this cohort of patients were age, female sex and graft function. Immunosuppression including MMF or sirolimus was associated with a higher prevalence of anaemia, but this was likely to be the result of poorer graft function in these subjects. Iron deficiency did not seem to be a causative factor for anaemia in this population.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

The epidemics of cardiovascular disease in elderly patients with chronic kidney disease--two facets of the same problem.

There is increasing evidence that even mild renal dysfunction is a novel potent cardiovascular risk factor in the general elderly population. With more severe renal impairment, cardiovascular risk increases proportionately. This issue deserves attention, as chronic kidney disease (CKD) is predominantly a disease of the elderly, and the mean age of end-stage renal disease patients entering dialysis is growing constantly. In the dialysis population, when clinically significant cardiovascular disease (CVD) (particularly congestive heart failure) is present, survival is worse. Thus, every effort should be made to identify and treat cardiovascular risk factor in the early stages of CKD. However, elderly renal patients receive less proper cardiovascular therapy compared to non-renal subjects of the same age. This review deals briefly with the most significant data published in the last decade on CVD in elderly with CKD.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2006

Anemia after renal transplantation.

Anemia in the setting of chronic kidney disease is a well-recognized phenomenon that is associated with decreasing renal function and deficiency of or resistance to erythropoietin. However, anemia in the post-renal transplantation setting has received comparatively less attention in the literature. In this review, we aim critically to appraise the available literature regarding posttransplantation anemia, concentrating in particular on the prevalence of posttransplantation anemia, its etiopathogenesis, potential effects on morbidity and mortality, and the rationale for intervention and treatment. Despite deficiencies in the literature, we conclude that posttransplantation anemia is a common phenomenon that can occur either early or late posttransplantation, and its causation is usually multifactorial and includes contributions notably from poor or decreasing renal function, immunosuppression, and iron deficiency. Conversely, there is a shortage of well-conducted prospective studies looking at the morbidity attributable to posttransplantation anemia and a lack of trial evidence to determine whether intervention improves patient morbidity and outcome.

Anemia, Iron-Deficiency↗
PubMed2006

The protein science of biosimilars.

A sea change is occurring in the off-patent drug manufacturing industry with a first wave of biotechnologically derived products reaching the end of their patent lives. However, recombinant proteins are in a different league from their chemical predecessors in terms of molecular complexity. Small differences in manufacturing processes can affect the efficacy and safety of the recombinant proteins in a manner which is not always measurable using analytical or in vitro techniques. Thus, comparable clinical profiles do not automatically follow from physicochemical likeness and can only be demonstrated through clinical studies. It is essential for patient safety that both innovator and biosimilar manufacturers ensure consistency in their production, by performing rigorous purity and activity profiling between batches, and implement tailored pharmacovigilance plans.

Drugs, Generic↗
PubMed2006

Sirolimus--challenging current perspectives.

Sirolimus is a potent immunosuppressant drug with a novel mechanism of action. It inhibits the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and blocks the cell cycle of various cell types, including T- and B-lymphocytes. Sirolimus is widely used as a maintenance immunosuppressive agent in organ transplantation. Also, a potentially benefit of this valuable drug in some immunologic and malignant diseases is currently under scrutiny.Classical side effects: hematological (anaemia, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia), hypercholesterolemia, arthralgias, extremity oedema and impaired wound healing have been frequently associated with the use of sirolimus. Additionally with its increased use, transplant professionals are encountering a variety of previously unreported and potentially more severe side effects.Here, we review the most recent data on sirolimus unexpected side effects (with an emphasis on pulmonary and renal toxicity), its use in renal transplantation and its new potential therapeutic indications (chronic glomerulopathies, polycystic kidney disease, different types of cancer). A brief description of the current knowledge of sirolimus therapeutic drug monitoring, methods of analysis, pharmacokinetics and drug interactions with calcineurin inhibitors is also included.

Angioedema↗
PubMed2005

Dynamics of the circadian blood pressure profiles after renal transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Abnormalities of diurnal blood pressure (BP) rhythm ("nondipping") are well-described in dialysis patients, and have prognostic importance. It is controversial whether successful renal transplantation (RTx) improves diurnal BP rhythm. To date, no study has attempted to define and model the evolution of diurnal BP rhythm profiles from dialysis to engraftment, focusing on the immediate (4-6 weeks) and medium-term (>1 year) postengraftment periods. METHODS: To test if kidney transplantation normalizes the BP profile, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) was performed in 20 living related transplants (age, 30.3+/-5.1 years; 11 males, on dialysis for 25.6 months) 1 month preRTx and repeated 1 month and >1 year (ABPM3) after successful RTx. Dipping was defined as a sleep-to-awake ratio>0.92 (for systolic BP) and >0.90 (for diastolic BP). RESULTS: PreRTx only 15% patients were dippers. At 1 month postRTx (creatinine clearance, 65.8 ml/min), all patients were complete nondippers. However, after >1 year postRTx (creatinine clearance, 70.4 ml/min), 40% were now dippers. Most importantly, overall, 30% of the patients improved significantly their circadian rhythm (35.3% of the initial preRTx nondippers). Despite successful renal transplantation, 55% patients maintained unchanged their nondipping profile throughout all three ABPM recordings. The only determinants of "long-term" postRTx circadian rhythm are the contemporary level of the renal function and the baseline, dialysis dipping profile: SBP3 sleep-to-awake ratio is related with serum creatinine3 (r=0.58, P=0.001), creatinine clearance (r=-0.41, P=0.036) and SBP1 sleep-to-awake ratio (r=0.48, P=0.034); similarly DBP3 sleep-to-awake ratio is related with serum creatinine3 (r=0.63, P=0.001), creatinine clearance (r=-0.471, P=0.036) and SBP1 sleep-to-awake ratio (r=0.53, P=0.016). In all, 57% of the variance in dipping status can be attributed and explained by the contribution of renal function and initial circadian variability. CONCLUSIONS: Half of the nondipper dialysis patients maintain a permanently abnormal circadian rhythm, despite successful RTx. In the short term, RTx is associated with a highly abnormal diurnal profile, exclusively related to ciclosporin dose and levels. However, in the longer term, renal transplantation leads to a significant improvement of the circadian blood pressure profile, influenced by the renal function level and by the pretransplantation dipping profile.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Epidemiology of renal disease in Romania: a 10 year review of two regional renal biopsy databases.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological data of renal disease are available from large national renal biopsy registries from Central and Western European countries; in contrast, detailed epidemiological data from Eastern European countries are missing. This report is the first review of histological data, over a period of 10 years (1995-2004), covering a population of over 6 million inhabitants and two distinct regions from an East European country - Romania. METHODS: 635 eco-guided kidney biopsies from the Moldova (North-Eastern Romania, 8 counties, 4 754 048 inhabitants) and Banat (Western Romania, 3 counties, 1 454 747 inhabitants) regions were analysed. Data on serum creatinine concentration (sCr), 24 h proteinuria, haematuria, clinical diagnosis, histological diagnosis and complications after renal biopsy were collected. RESULTS: The number of biopsies performed varied between 10.9 p.m.p./year in 1995 and 11.3 p.m.p./year in 2004. The most common clinical syndromes - as indication for performing the renal biopsy - were: nephrotic syndrome (52.3%), followed by nephritic syndrome (21.9%), acute renal failure (ARF) (12.4%), chronic kidney disease (CKD) (10.2%) and asymptomatic urinary abnormalities (AUA) (3.3% of the cases). The major histological groups identified were: primary glomerulonephritis (GN) (66.2%), secondary GN (26.4%), vascular nephropathies (2.3%), and tubulointerstitial nephropathies (TIN) (1.5%) of the cases. Among primary GN's, the most frequent diagnoses were: membranoproliferative GN (MPGN) (29.4%, incidence in 2004 - 9.3 p.m.p./year), mesangioproliferative GN (MesGN) (28.9%, incidence - 10 p.m.p./year), membranous GN (MGN) (11.2%, incidence - 5.3 p.m.p./year), minimal change disease (MCD) (8.5%, incidence - 7.3 p.m.p./year), focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) (11.5%, incidence - 3.3 p.m.p./year) and crescentic GN (CGN) (7.9%, incidence - 3.3 p.m.p./year). The prevalence of membranoproliferative GN significantly decreased from 1995 to 2004. The prevalence of different types of secondary GN was similar to Western and Central European countries, with the particular difference of higher infectious diseases associated GN. CONCLUSION: The present data are an important contribution to the epidemiology of renal diseases in Europe, highlighting not only numerous similarities but also significant epidemiological differences in Western and Central European countries, particularly a higher, albeit declining, incidence and prevalence of membranoproliferative GN. This report represents the basis for the future of Romanian Registry of Renal Biopsies and is intended to serve as a source of information for nephrologists concerned with East European renal pathology.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Increased arterial stiffness in children on haemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: Measures of aortic stiffness--aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AIx)--have been shown to be powerful predictors of survival in adult haemodialysis (HD) patients. Very few data have been reported regarding arterial stiffness in paediatric renal populations. METHODS: PWV and aortic AIx were determined from contour analysis of arterial waveforms recorded by applanation tonometry using a SphygmoCor device in 14 children on HD (age = 14.1 years) and in 15 age, height matched children controls. RESULTS: Pre-HD AIx (29.7 +/- 15.4%) and PWV (6.6 +/- 1.0 m/s) were significantly higher compared with children controls (8.3 +/- 8.0% and 5.4 +/- 0.6 m/s, respectively, P < 0.0001). The only significant difference between normal and HD children was BP level: 103/61 vs 114/72 mmHg, P < 0.05. In children of HD patients, a multiple linear regression model including BP, age, height, weight, Ca and P levels as independent variables accounted for 57% of the variability in AIx. Dialysis had no impact on AIx (post-HD: 28.5 +/- 12.7%) or on PWV (post-HD: 6.7 +/- 0.8 m/s). CONCLUSIONS: We show, in this first-ever report of increased arterial stiffness in children on dialysis, that end-stage renal disease is associated with abnormalities in arterial wall elastic properties, comparable with adult levels, even in childhood. Most importantly, the absence of a discernible amelioration with dialysis implies that purely structural and not functional alterations lie behind the increased arterial stiffness.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Arterial stiffness in renal patients: an update.

According to recent data, arterial stiffness is a major independent risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in both the general and renal populations. Because of several factors (vascular calcifications among them), large arteries are stiffer in patients with chronic kidney disease compared with the nonrenal population, contributing to the enormous cardiovascular mortality in renal patients. This review briefly analyzes methods for determination of arterial stiffness, focusing on 2 parameters, pulse wave velocity and the augmentation index, particularly useful in assessing arterial compliance in renal patients. Effects of different methods of renal replacement therapy on arterial wall properties also are discussed. Finally, the most promising novel and/or potential therapies regarding reduction of arterial stiffness in renal patients are reviewed.

Arteriosclerosis↗