Association between central aortic pulsatility and glomerular filtration rate in patients with coronary artery disease

OBJECTIVE: Aortic stiffness and chronic kidney disease share common risk factors. Increased aortic stiffness is a predictor of lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at lower levels of renal functions. We aimed to investigate the association between invasively measured central aortic pulsatility (AP) as an indicator of aortic stiffness and eGFR in a population with coronary artery disease and without overt renal disease. METHODS: This study had a cross-sectional design. Data were retrospectively collected. We evaluated 72 patients (44 males and 28 females; mean age 59.0±10.3 years) with coronary artery disease. eGFR was calculated with dividing the Cockcroft–Gault formula by body surface area. Direct measurements of aortic blood pressures were utilized to calculate pulse pressure and AP. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to test the relationship between eGFR and AP, independent from potential confounders. RESULTS: eGFR was significantly correlated with age (r=0.489, p<0.001), body surface area (r=0.324, p=0.006), weight (r=0.323, p=0.006), aortic pulse pressure (r=-0.371, p=0.001), and AP (r=-0.469, p<0.001). In multiple linear regression analysis, AP was independently associated with eGFR (p=0.035), beside the age and body surface area. An AP cut-off level of >0.71 had 84% sensitivity and 72% specificity in predicting eGFR of <90 mL/min per 1.72 m(2) (receiver–operating characteristic area under curve: 0.851, 95% CI: 0.760–0.942, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: We found an independent relationship between invasively measured AP and eGFR in patients with coronary artery disease. Moreover, a higher AP may predict lower eGFR. These results may be utilized to predict eGFR from AP during invasive procedures.