Endothelial dysfunction, inflammation and atherosclerosis in chronic kidney disease--a cross-sectional study of predialysis, dialysis and kidney-transplantation patients.

Background: Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality are high in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients compared to the general population. Systemic inflammation may contribute to endothelial dysfunction and accelerated atherosclerosis in CKD patients. We assessed the relationship among, endothelial dysfunction, early atherosclerosis and inflammation in predialysis, dialysis and post kidney-transplantation CKD patients.

The diagnostic and prognostic value of tissue Doppler imaging during dobutamine stress echocardiography in end-stage renal disease.

Objective: To determine whether a quantitative measurement of peak systolic velocity (PSV) during dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) detects severe coronary artery disease (CAD) and predicts mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Methods: One hundred and forty renal transplant candidates had DSE and coronary angiography. DSE analysis was performed using conventional visual wall motion assessment, longitudinal PSV, and combining the two modalities.

Evaluation of ischaemia-modified albumin as a marker of myocardial ischaemia in end-stage renal disease.

The early diagnosis of myocardial ischaemia is problematic in patients with ESRD (end-stage renal disease). The aim of the present study was to determine whether IMA (ischaemia-modified albumin) increases during dobutamine stress and detects myocardial ischaemia in patients with ESRD. A total of 114 renal transplant candidates were studied prospectively, and all received DSE (dobutamine stress echocardiography).

Mitral annular calcification predicts mortality and coronary artery disease in end stage renal disease.

Background: We sought to determine whether mitral annular calcification (MAC) predicts mortality and cardiac disease in a group of renal transplant candidates.

Methods: Hundred and forty patients were prospectively studied. All had echocardiography and coronary angiography.