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Titolo	Development of a cardiovascular calcification index using simple imaging tools in haemodialysis patients.
Autore	P. Muntner, E. Ferramosca, A. Bellasi, G.A. Block, P. Raggi
Referenza	Nephrol Dial Transplant 2006; doi: 10.1093/ndt/gfl609
Contenuto	BACKGROUND: Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is highly prevalent in haemodialysis patients and is associated with cardiovascular outcomes. Though cardiac computed tomography (CCT) is accurate, it is not widely available. METHODS: We developed a cardiovascular calcification index (CCI) to predict the presence of CAC for haemodialysis patients using simple in-office techniques. Prevalent haemodialysis patients (n = 140) underwent CCT imaging for CAC, a lateral abdominal X-ray for calcification of the abdominal aorta, an echocardiogram for valvular calcification, and pulse pressure measurement. A CCI was derived by weighting the prevalence rate ratios of CAC >/=1000. Using bootstrap techniques, validation was performed using receiver operator characteristic curves and likelihood ratios. RESULTS: Points were assigned for patients\\\' age (60-69 and >/=70 years, 1 and 2 points, respectively), dialysis vintage >/=2 years (1 point), aortic and mitral valve calcification (3 and 1 points, respectively), and abdominal aorta X-ray scores of 1-6 and >/=7 (2 and 4 points, respectively). Race, sex and pulse pressure did not contribute to the CCI. The CCI ranged from 0 to 11 points. The likelihood ratio of CAC >/=1000 associated with CCI scores of 2-4, 5, 6-8 and 9-11 were 1.28, 2.03, 2.94 and 3.83, respectively. Given the prevalence of CAC >/=1000 of 21% in the current study, the probability of having CAC >/=1000 was 26%, 38%, 43% and 50% for participants with CCI scores of 2-4, 5, 6-8, and >/=9, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although refinement is needed, the CCI developed in the current study provides an alternative for predicting CAC when CCT is not available.
Data	15.11.2006

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