Influence of lipid profile and statin administration on arterial stiffness in renal transplant recipients

BACKGROUND: Hyperlipidemia is one of the major risk factors for developing a cardiovascular disease (CVD) and it is a frequent post-transplant complication, occurring in up to 60% of the renal transplant recipients (RTRs). Lipid lowering therapy with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) is generally recommended and may reduce the overall cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate the lipid profile, statin administration and their relationship with arterial stiffness parameters in RTRs. METHODS: Three hundred and forty-four stable RTRs (62.5% male) transplanted between 1994 and 2018 were randomly enrolled to the study. The following parameters of arterial stiffness was measured in each patient: ankle brachial index, carotid femoral pulse wave velocity (baPWV left and right, cfPWV) and pulse pressure (PP right and left). The study group was divided based on the use statins: 143 (41.6%) and 201 (58.4%). RTRs were qualified to the statin (+) and the statin (−) group, respectively. RESULTS: In the statin (+) as compared to statin (−) group there were more patients with a CVD (32.9% vs. 14.9%) and diabetes (25.2% vs. 14.4%). In the whole study group, CVD was associated with a significant increase of both baPWV and cfPWV as well as PP (8.5 mmHg). There were significant differences in arterial stiffness parameters (baPWV, cfPWV, PP) between the statin (+) and the statin (−) group. CONCLUSIONS: Arterial stiffness was increased in RTRs with CVD and hyperlipidemia. The control of hyperlipidemia was poor in RTRs.