Ankle-brachial index, arterial stiffness, and biomarkers in the prediction of mortality and outcomes in patients with end-stage kidney disease

Background Although ankle‐brachial index (ABI) and brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) are significant predictors of major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE), their prognostic value in association with biomarkers has not been fully evaluated in patients with end‐stage kidney disease (ESKD). Hypothesis We hypothesized that ABI/baPWV would provide better prognostic value independent of biomarkers in ESKD patients. Methods This study included 104 ESKD patients treated with maintenance hemodialysis who underwent ABI and baPWV examinations and laboratory tests, including brain‐natriuretic peptide, high‐sensitive cardiac troponin T (hs‐cTnT), and high‐sensitive C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP). MACE was defined as a composite event of all‐cause death, acute coronary syndrome, and stroke. Results During a mean follow‐up of 3.6 ± 1.7 years, a total of 51 MACE were observed. The independent factors associated with MACE were age >75 years (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 2.15; P