@article {1144, title = {Rapid decline of kidney function increases cardiovascular risk in the elderly.}, journal = {J Am Soc Nephrol}, volume = {20}, year = {2009}, month = {2009 Dec}, pages = {2625-30}, abstract = {

Chronic kidney disease (CKD), defined at a specific time point, is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Whether the rate of kidney function decline contributes additional cardiovascular risk is unknown. In the Cardiovascular Health Study, we compared the associations of changes in kidney function during the first 7 yr with the incidence of heart failure (HF), myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) during the subsequent 8 yr. We defined a rapid decline in cystatin C-based estimated GFR as >3 ml/min per 1.73 m(2)/yr, on the basis of determination at baseline, year 3, and year 7. Among eligible participants, 1083 (24\%) had rapid kidney decline. The incidence of each type of cardiovascular event was significantly higher among patients with rapid decline (all P < 0.001). After multivariate adjustment for demographics, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and baseline kidney function, rapid kidney function decline was significantly associated with HF (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.32; 95\% confidence interval [CI] 1.13 to 1.53), MI (HR 1.48; 95\% CI 1.21 to 1.83), and PAD (HR 1.67; 95\% CI 1.02 to 2.75) but not with stroke (HR 1.19; 95\% CI 0.97 to 1.45). The association of rapid decline with each outcome did not differ by the presence or absence of CKD. In conclusion, declining kidney function associates with higher risk for HF, MI, and PAD among patients with or without CKD.

}, keywords = {Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Cardiovascular Diseases, Creatinine, Cystatin C, Female, Glomerular Filtration Rate, Heart Failure, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Myocardial Infarction, Peripheral Vascular Diseases, Renal Insufficiency, Chronic, Risk Factors, Stroke, Time Factors, United States}, issn = {1533-3450}, doi = {10.1681/ASN.2009050546}, author = {Shlipak, Michael G and Katz, Ronit and Kestenbaum, Bryan and Siscovick, David and Fried, Linda and Newman, Anne and Rifkin, Dena and Sarnak, Mark J} } @article {1149, title = {Albuminuria, impaired kidney function and cardiovascular outcomes or mortality in the elderly.}, journal = {Nephrol Dial Transplant}, volume = {25}, year = {2010}, month = {2010 May}, pages = {1560-7}, abstract = {

BACKGROUND: Kidney disease is a risk factor for mortality and cardiovascular disease in older adults, but the separate and combined effects of albuminuria and cystatin C, a novel marker of glomerular filtration, are not known.

METHODS: We examined associations of these markers with mortality and cardiovascular outcomes during a median follow-up of 8.3 years in 3291 older adults in the Cardiovascular Health Study. Kidney disease was assessed using urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR), cystatin C and Modification of Diet in Renal Disease estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). We defined subgroups based on presence of microalbuminuria (MA, ACR > 30 mg/g) and categories of normal kidney function (cystatin C < 1.0 mg/L and eGFR > 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2)); preclinical kidney disease (cystatin C level > 1.0 mg/l but eGFR > 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2)); and chronic kidney disease (CKD) (eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2)). Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine associations between these six subgroups and all-cause or cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction and heart failure.

RESULTS: One thousand one hundred fifty (34.9\%) had normal kidney function (12.2\% with MA), 1518 (46.1\%) had preclinical kidney disease (17.9\% with MA) and 622 (18.9\%) had CKD (47\% with MA). After adjustment, the presence of either preclinical kidney disease or MA was associated with an over 50\% increase in mortality risk; the presence of both was associated with a 2.4-fold mortality risk. Those with CKD and MA were at highest risk, with a nearly 4-fold mortality risk.

CONCLUSION: Elevated cystatin C and albuminuria are common, identify different subsets of the older population, and are independent, graded risk factors for cardiovascular disease and mortality.

}, keywords = {Aged, Albuminuria, Cardiovascular Diseases, Creatinine, Cystatin C, Female, Glomerular Filtration Rate, Heart Failure, Humans, Male, Myocardial Infarction, Risk Factors}, issn = {1460-2385}, doi = {10.1093/ndt/gfp646}, author = {Rifkin, Dena E and Katz, Ronit and Chonchol, Michel and Fried, Linda F and Cao, Jie and de Boer, Ian H and Siscovick, David S and Shlipak, Michael G and Sarnak, Mark J} }