Comparison of intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery in dialysis and kidney transplant recipient patients

Objectives: Cardiovascular events are a major cause of mortality and morbidity of chronic renal failure causing 40 to 50 of all deaths in these patients. The intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery is used to predict atherosclerosis. To assess the effect of early renal transplant on the vascular atherosclerosis, we compared the common carotid intima-media thickness between dialysis and transplant patients. Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 75 kidney transplant recipients and 75 dialysis patients were assessed in a subspecialized renal and urethral diseases center from April 2008 to March 2010. Demographic characteristics, smoking history, and information on comorbid and kidney diseases were recorded through a checklist. The common carotid intima-media thickness was measured using ultrasonography. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used to find any correlation between duration of dialysis and intimamedia thickness. Results: In all, 79 patients (53) were male. The mean age (SD) of dialysis and transplant patients was 55 ± 11 and 51 ± 15 years. The 2 groups had no statistically significant sex or age differences (P >.05). Considering all patients, 54 (36) had a history of hypertension, 30 (20) had a history of diabetes mellitus, 15 (10) had a history of hyperlipidemia, and 41 (27.3) had a history of smoking. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups when these variables were considered (P >.05). The mean thickness of the common carotid intima-media was 1.2 mm (0.35 mm) in the dialysis patients, which was higher compared with 0.73 mm (0.18 mm) in the transplanted group (P <.001). There was a significant correlation between duration of dialysis and intima-media thickness (P <.001, r=0.882) in the dialysis group. Conclusions: Common carotid intima-media thickness in dialysis patients is significantly higher compared with kidney transplant recipients. Carotid intima-media thickness increases by prolongation of dialysis duration. © BaÅkent University 2011