[Ultrasound diagnostics of atherosclerosis in chronic renal insufficiency].

Introduction: Atherosclerosis is more frequent in patients with chronic renal insufficiency than in general population. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of atherosclerosis and risk factors in hemodialysis patients.
Material and Methods: We studied 62 patients (36 male and 26 female; mean age, 56 +/- 13 years). The mean time on HD was 65.7 +/- 46.7 months. These patient underwent the following examinations: assessments of risk factors, body mass index, soft tissue calcification biochemical analyses and Duplex ultrasonography of carotid arteries;
Results: In two thirds of patients older than fifty years, thickening of the intima-media complex was found. No statistically significant difference was found in the frequency of atherosclerosis regarding sex, tissue calcification, plaque, smoking and Diabetes Mellitus. There was no correlation between the thickness of the intima-media complex and traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis. However, there was a statistically significant correlation among atherosclerosis, age and time on dialysis. Atherosclerosis was found in 68% of patients between the age of fifty and seventy years. Duration of dialysis and age are statistically significant factors for atherosclerosis.