Koca, NizameddinŞensoy, BarışKırhan, Emine2024-02-022024-02-022019-06-18Koca, N. vd. (2019). "The association between cardiac valvular calcification and fetuin-A levels in kidney transplant recipients". Clinical and Experimental Nephrology, 23(10), 1250-1256.1342-1751https://hdl.handle.net/11452/39472Objectives Low fetuin-A levels in hemodialysis patients can be associated with development of vascular and valvular calcifications. The mechanisms underlying vascular and valvular calcifications are multifactorial. There are a few studies showing the relationship between low fetuin-A levels and valvular calcification after kidney transplantation. We aimed to evaluate the association between serum fetuin-A levels and valvular calcification in kidney transplant recipients. Methods The cardiac valvular calcification was assessed by echocardiography in 56 recipients. Patients were divided into two groups as those with (n = 11) and without (n = 45) aortic and/or mitral valve calcification. The extent of valvular calcification was visually assessed according to the standard visual score method: moderately (multiple larger spots) and heavily calcified (extensive thickening and calcification) of all cusps. Serum fetuin-A levels were measured. Results The demographic features of both groups were comparable. There was no significant difference between regular physical exercise (63.6% vs. 55.6%), obesity (18.2% vs. 17.8%), abdominal obesity (54.5% vs. 46.7%), smoking (0% vs. 13.3%), hypertension (63.6% vs. 68.9%), left ventricular hypertrophy (45.5% vs. 33.3%) and diabetes mellitus (9.1% vs. 20%) ratios in groups with or without valvular calcification, respectively (p > 0.05). Fetuin-A levels of both groups did not differ. Fetuin-A levels positively correlated with serum creatinine (r 0.326, p = 0.014), and negatively correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (r - 0.297, p = 0.026). Conclusions We could not find a relationship between serum fetuin-A levels and valvular calcification in kidney recipients. In this population, further studies are needed to assess the role of serum fetuin-A in valvular calcification.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessKidney transplantationValvular calcificationFetuin AVascular calcificationCardiovascular mortalityValve calcificationCirculating fetuinAortic-stenosisDialysisSerumDiseaseBiomarkerMechanismsUrology & nephrologyAdultAlpha-2-HS-glycoproteinCalcinosisCalciumCreatinineEchocardiographyFemaleGlomerular filtration rateHeart valve diseasesHumansKidney transplantationMaleMiddle agedNegative resultsRisk factorsArticle000486224300009https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10157-019-01761-22-s2.0-8506834431412501256231031250147https://doi.org/10.1007/s10157-019-01761-2Urology & nephrologyFetuin A; Glycoprotein; Human AHSG proteinCreatinineFetuin AAHSG protein, humanCalciumCreatinineAbdominal obesityAdultArticleClinical articleControlled studyCreatinine blood levelDiabetes mellitusDisease associationEstimated glomerular filtration rateExerciseFemaleGraft recipientHeart left ventricle hypertrophyHeart valve calcificationHumanHypertensionKidney transplantationMaleMitral valve calcificationObesityProtein blood levelSmokingBloodCalcinosisDiagnostic imagingEchocardiographyGlomerulus filtration rateMiddle agedRisk factorValvular heart diseaseValvular calcification1437-7799