Risk Factors for Aortic Valve Calcification in Patients on Regular Hemodialysis

INTRODUCTION: Aortic valve calcification (AVC) accelerates development of aortic valve stenosis and cardiovascular complications. Hyperphosphatemia is one of the key risk factors for aortic valve calcification. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of AVC in patients on regular hemodialysis and to assess the impact of different factors on its appearance. METHOD: The study investigated a total of 115 patients treated in the Hemodialysis Department of the Urology and Nephrology Clinic at the Kragujevac Clinical Center in Serbia. The variables investigated were: serum albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), homocysteine, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), Apolipoprotein A-I (Apo A-I), Apolipoprotein B (Apo B) and lipoprotein (a), calcium, phosphate and parathormone, and calcium-phosphorus product (Ca x P). Patients were evaluated by echocardiography for AVC. Statistical analysis included univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Univariate regression analysis showed that serum phosphate levels and Ca x P are the most important risk factors for AVC (p<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that hyperphosphatemia is an independent risk factor for AVC (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Hyperphosphatemia is an independent risk factor for aortic valve calcification.