Ultrasound carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) evaluation as a marker of cardiovascular damage in hemodialysis patients and in stable renal transplant recipients

The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of traditional and non-traditional cardiac risks factors on CIMT (mm) evaluated by B-mode ultrasound and color flow mapping of the carotid artery bilaterally in hemodialysis (HD) pts and renal transplant recipients (RTRs). In 148 HD pts and 79 RTRs CIMT is evaluated; simultaneously sCa, sPO4, PTH, cholesterol, HDL, LDL, homocystein (Hcy), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were determined. CIMT was greater in HD pts than in RTRs (1.45±0.79 vs. 0.78±0.43mm, P