Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and rate of renal function decline and mortality in chronic kidney disease.

Background And Objectives: Increased arterial stiffness was reported to be associated with decreased estimated GFR (eGFR). Previous studies suggested that arterial stiffness might play a role in renal function progression in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of this study was to investigate whether there was an independent association between brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), a marker of arterial stiffness, and renal function progression in CKD patients.

Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: This longitudinal study enrolled 145 patients with CKD stages 3 to 5. The baPWV was measured by using an ABI-form device. The change in renal function was estimated by eGFR slope. The study endpoints were defined as commencement of dialysis or death.

Results: After a stepwise multivariate analysis, the eGFR slope was positively associated with baseline eGFR and negatively associated with hypertension and baPWV (β=-0.165, P=0.033). Seventeen patients entering dialysis, and eight deaths were recorded. Multivariate forward Cox regression analysis identified that higher baPWV (hazard ratio, 1.001; P=0.001), lower baseline eGFR, and higher serum phosphate level were independently associated with progression to commencement of dialysis or death.

Conclusions: Our results show an independent association between baPWV and renal function decline and progression to commencement of dialysis or death in patients with CKD. Screening CKD patients by means of baPWV may help identify a high-risk group of rapid renal function decline and progression to commencing dialysis or death.