Background:
Cardiovascular disease was a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in kidney transplant recipients (KTR). Risk factors for coronary artery disease are well established, however, two novel risk factors that have not been well studied in this population are arterial compliance and aerobic endurance.
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to examine arterial compliance and aerobic endurance in KTR and age-matched healthy individuals. We hypothesized that arterial compliance and aerobic endurance would be lower in KTR than healthy, age-matched individuals. We also hypothesized that older KTR would have reduced arterial compliance compared to younger KTR.
Methods:
Sixty-two (mean +/- SD, age: 51 +/- 14 years) clinically stable KTR were recruited for this study from the University of Alberta Kidney Transplantation Clinic. Resting small (SAC) and large (LAC) arterial compliance were assessed non-invasively using computerized arterial pulse waveform analysis (Hypertension Diagnostics, Eagan, MN). The assessment of aerobic endurance was performed using the six-minute walk test. Age-matched comparisons were made for SAC, LAC and distance walked in 6 minutes. Secondary analysis was performed to determine if SAC and LAC were different between younger (<51 years) and older (>=51 years) KTR.
Results:
Small arterial compliance was significantly lower in KTR (5.5 +/- 3 ml/mmHg x 100) compared to age-matched predicted values (7.9 +/- 0.9 ml/mmHg x 100, P < 0.0001). No significant difference was found for LAC between KTR (16.0 +/- 6.6 ml/mmHg x 10) and age-matched predicted values (15.2 +/- 1.3 ml/mmHg x 10, P = 0.5). In addition, SAC and LAC were 35% (P = 0.0258) and 36% (P = 0.0052) higher, respectively, in younger versus older KTR. The distance walked in 6 minutes was 28% lower in KTR compared to age-matched predicted values (P < 0.0001).
Conclusions:
Kidney transplant recipients have significantly lower SAC and aerobic endurance compared to age-matched healthy individuals. Further, older KTR have significantly lower SAC and LAC compared to younger KTR. Interventions, such as exercise training, that improve aerobic endurance and arterial compliance may play an important role reducing the cardiovascular disease risk that occurs in this population.
Section Description
For more information, contact Marilyn Thomas (204) 488-5854