Correlation between carotid intima-media thickness and hematocrit and hemoglobin values in renal transplant recipients

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the main causes of morbidity and mo rtality in kidney transplant recipients. Blood viscosity plays an important role in the development of arteriosclerosis in the general population. Sin ce hematocrit (Ht) and hemoglobin (Hb) values are determinants of blood vis cosity, we decided to perform a study to check the possible relevance betwe en these hemorheological factors and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) i n renal transplant recipients. Patients and methods: The study was performed on 33 clinically stable renal transplant recipients and 19 healthy persons. All subjects underwent ultra sonographic measurements of IMT. Analyzed clinical parameters included: age , sex, body mass index (BMI), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), pulse pre ssure (PP) time from renal transplantation, and time on dialysis. The follo wing biochemical parameters were assessed: Hb, Ht, fibrinogen (Fbg), and ho mocysteine (tHcy) concentrations (estimated by enzyme immunoassay). Results: The two analyzed groups did not differ in respect to age and BMI. Mean concentrations of Hb and Ht values were lower in the patients group. M ean carotid IMT, Fbg, tHcy, MAP, and PP were significantly higher in the re nal transplant recipients group when compared to the control group. IMT was positively correlated with age (r = 0.55; p = 0.001), Hb (r = 0.36; p = 0. 04), Ht (r = 0.34; p < 0.05), PP (r = 0.35; p < 0.05), Fbg (r = 0.4; p = 0. 02), and time on dialysis prior to transplantation (r = 0.50; p = 0.003) in the patients group. Multiple regression analysis in renal transplant recip ients showed that the IMT was independently related to age, Hb or Ht values , and Fbg. Conclusions: The results for the first time show positive association betwe en IMT and Ht and Hb values in renal transplant recipients. The results may implicate the role of these rheological factors in progression and acceler ation of arterial remodeling in renal transplant recipients.