CYP24A1 and KL polymorphisms are associated with the extent of vascular calcification but do not improve prediction of cardiovascular events.

Background: Novel ways of determining cardiovascular risk are needed as a consequence of population ageing and the increased prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD), both of which favour vascular calcification. Since the formation of arterial calcium deposits has a genetic component, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) could predict cardiovascular events.

Methods: A selection of 1927 CKD patients and controls recruited by the NEFRONA study were genotyped for 60 SNPs from 22 candidate genes.