Correlation between carotid intima-media thickness and hematocrit and hemoglobin values in renal transplant recipients

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the main causes of morbidity and mortality in kidney transplant recipients. Blood viscosity plays an important role in the development of arteriosclerosis in the general population. Since hematocrit (Ht) and hemoglobin (Hb) values are determinants of blood viscosity, we decided to perform a study to check the possible relevance between these hemorheological factors and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in renal transplant recipients. Patients and methods: The study was performed on 33 clinically stable renal transplant recipients and 19 healthy persons. All subjects underwent ultrasonographic measurements of IMT. Analyzed clinical parameters included: age, sex, body mass index (BMI), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), pulse pressure (PP) time from renal transplantation, and time on dialysis. The following biochemical parameters were assessed: Hb, Ht, fibrinogen (Fbg), and homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations (estimated by enzyme immunoassay). Results: The two analyzed groups did not differ in respect to age and BMI. Mean concentrations of Hb and Ht values were lower in the patients group. Mean carotid IMT, Fbg, tHcy, MAP, and PP were significantly higher in the renal transplant recipients group when compared to the control group. IMT was positively correlated with age (r = 0.55; p = 0.001), Hb (r = 0.36; p = 0.04), Ht (r = 0.34; p < 0.05), PP (r = 0.35; p < 0.05), Fbg (r = 0.4; p = 0.02), and time on dialysis prior to transplantation (r = 0.50; p = 0.003) in the patients group. Multiple regression analysis in renal transplant recipients showed that the IMT was independently related to age, Hb or Ht values, and Fbg. Conclusions: The results for the first time show positive association between IMT and Ht and Hb values in renal transplant recipients. The results may implicate the role of these rheological factors in progression and acceleration of arterial remodeling in renal transplant recipients.