Cardio-ankle vascular index with renal progression and mortality in high atherosclerosis risk: a prospective cohort study in CORE-Thailand

Abstract

Background: Increased arterial stiffness is linked to markers of endothelial dysfunction and vasculopathy such as albuminuria, vascular calcification, left ventricular hypertrophy and cardiovascular (CV) diseases. Studies of arterial stiffness on renal progression are limited. Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the association between high cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and renal endpoint and all-cause mortality in a Thai population with high atherosclerosis risk. Methods: A multicenter prospective cohort study was conducted among subjects with high CV risk or established CV diseases in Thailand. Subjects were divided into 3 groups with mean CAVI < 8, 8–8.9, and ≥ 9, respectively. Primary composite outcome consisted of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline over 40%, eGFR less than 15 mL/min/1.73 m2, doubling of serum creatinine, initiation of dialysis and death related to renal causes. The secondary outcomes were all-cause mortality, CV mortality and eGFR decline. Results: A total of 4898 subjects (2743 men and 2155 women) were enrolled. Cox proportional hazards model showed a significant relationship of high CAVI (CAVI ≥ 9) and primary composite outcome. Subjects with high CAVI at baseline had a 1.45-fold (95% CI 1.13–1.84) significant risk for the primary composite outcome and 1.72-fold (95% CI 1.12–2.63) risk for all-cause mortality, compared with normal CAVI (CAVI < 8). After stepwise multivariate analysis, the high CAVI group was only positively associated with primary composite outcome. Kaplan–Meier curve of the primary composite outcome and all-cause mortality demonstrated the worst survival in the high CAVI group (log-rank test with P < 0.05). Conclusion: In a Thai cohort with high atherosclerosis risk, increased arterial stiffness was a risk factor for worsening renal function, including end-stage renal disease and initiation of dialysis.