Mrs Zhihui Quan1
1Bishan Hospital Of Chongqing, Chongqing, China
Biography:
Dr. Qi Zhihui, a nephrology specialist with a master’s degree from Northern Sichuan Medical College, has been working at Bishan District People’s Hospital in Chongqing since 2015. As a chief physician and member of the Chongqing Hemodialysis Youth Committee, she has published over ten papers in core journals and led two district-level research projects to completion. She also participated in and successfully concluded one Chongqing municipal-level research project.
Abstract:
Background:
Valvular calcification is highly prevalent in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and linked to cardiovascular mortality. The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), an emerging biomarker, reflects atherogenic lipoprotein burden and residual cardiovascular risk more effectively than conventional lipid measures. This study examined associations between AIP and the prevalence/severity of valvular calcification in stage 3-5 dialysis-independent CKD patients.
Methods:
A cross-sectional analysis was conthodsA cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 263 stable, non-dialysis stage 3-5 CKD patients (76 stage 3, 104 stage 4, 83 stage 5). AIP was calculated as log(triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) from fasting lipid profiles. Cardiac valvular calcification was assessed via transthoracic echocardiography, with presence/severity graded using a 3-titer semi-quantitative score. Multivariate logistic regression models (adjusted for demographics, comorbidities, CKD stage, and mineral-bone disorder markers) evaluated the AIP-valvular calcification relationship.
Results:
The overall prevalence of valvular calcification was 39.16% (n=103). Patients with valvular calcification had significantly higher AIP than those without (0.42±0.18 vs. 0.24±0.15, P<0.001). In fully adjusted models, each 0.1-unit AIP increment was independently associated with 32% higher odds of valvular calcification (OR=1.32, 95% CI 1.14-1.53). The highest AIP tertile had a 3.5-fold greater risk vs. the lowest (OR=3.50, 95% CI 1.92-6.38). AIP also positively correlated with increased calcification severity (β=0.41, P<0.01).
Conclusion:
Elevated AIP is strongly and independently associated with both the presence and severity of cardiac valvular calcification in stage 3-5 non-dialysis CKD patients. Thus, AIP may serve as a simple, valuable tool for early identification of patients at heightened valvular calcification risk.