Breast arterial calcification: a marker of medial vascular calcification in chronic kidney disease.

ABSTRACT:

Background and objectives

Because previous studies have not distinguished between intimal (atherosclerotic) and medial vascular calcification, the prevalence and clinical significance of either condition in chronic or end-stage kidney disease (CKD or ESKD) are unknown. We hypothesized that breast arterial calcification (BAC) is exclusively medial and that mammography can serve as a useful marker of generalized medial calcification in CKD and ESKD.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

Arterial calcification was identified histologically in breast tissue or visually in mammograms and radiographs of extremities from patients with CKD or ESKD.

Results

Medial calcification but no intimal calcification was present in all 16 specimens from patients with CKD or ESKD.

SUBMITTER: Duhn V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3052229 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature