Valvular Calcific Deposits and Mortality in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: A Propensity Score-Matched Cohort Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare mortality between peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients with and without cardiac valve calcification (CVC). METHODS: Patients undergoing PD at the dialysis center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 1, 2009, to June 31, 2016, were included and followed through December 31, 2018. The inclusion criteria were (1) age ≥18 years and (2) PD vintage ≥1 month. The exclusion criteria were (1) a history of hemodialysis or renal transplantation before PD; (2) diagnosed congenital heart disease, rheumatic heart disease, or hyperthyroid heart disease; and (3) loss to follow-up. Differences in mortality rates were compared using a Fine-Gray proportional hazards model. RESULTS: A total of 310 patient cases were included in this study, including 237 cases without CVC (non-CVC group). The CVC group included 59 cases with aortic valve calcification (AVC), 6 cases with mitral valve calcification (MVC), and 8 cases of AVC associated with MVC. After propensity score matching, 68 pairs were selected. The multivariate competing risk regression analysis revealed that age (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.06, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.03-1.10, p < 0.001) and CVC group (HR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.04-3.20, p < 0.05) were independent risk factors associated with mortality. No significant difference was observed in technique survival between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: CVC is an independent risk factor for mortality in PD patients.

Risk Factors for New-Onset Cardiac Valve Calcification in Patients on Maintenance Peritoneal Dialysis.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with end-stage renal disease are susceptible to cardiac valve calcification (CVC) due to mineral metabolism disorders and other factors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the risk factors for new-onset CVC in patients on maintenance peritoneal dialysis (PD). METHODS: This study included patients who underwent PD catheter insertion from January 2006 to June 2013 in our Peritoneal Dialysis Center. Clinical data were collected on CVC status during echocardiography evaluations (twice) at an interval of >6 months. The data collected included intact parathyroid hormone, C-reactive protein (CRP), serum phosphorus (P), serum calcium (Ca), albumin (Alb), prealbumin and the use of five types of antihypertensive drugs, statins, active vitamin D3 and Ca tablets. RESULTS: In total, 194 patients - 105 (54.1%) men, average age 60.5 ± 13.0 years - were included. CVC was present in 50 (25.8%) patients during PD catheter placement. After an average PD duration of 20.9 ± 10.4 months, CVC was detected in 97 patients (50.0%). New-onset CVC was found in 62 patients (32.0%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that only serum P levels (p = 0.01, OR = 2.569), Alb levels (p = 0.04, OR = 0.935), dialysis duration (p = 0.03, OR = 1.039) and CRP levels (p = 0.02, OR = 1.031) were associated with CVC. CONCLUSION: Serum P, Alb and CRP levels as well as dialysis duration are independent risk factors for CVC.