Abstract
BACKGROUND: Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a molecule which belongs to the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily. OPG concentration is elevated in patients with left ventricle hypertrophy, heart failure and acute myocardial infarction. OPG concentrations rise in chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of this study was to investigate the association between OPG concentrations and cardiovascular complications, such as left ventricle hypertrophy, systolic and diastolic dysfunction of left ventricle and dysfunction of right ventricle in chronic kidney disease patients not treated with dialysis. The relation between OPG and the amount of pericardial fluid was also examined. METHODS: One hundred and one men with CKD stage 3-5 not treated with dialysis were included in the study. Overhydration, body fat mass and lean body mass were measured using bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS). Echocardiography was performed to evaluate the amount of pericardial fluid and to measure the thickness of the interventricular septum (IVS), systolic and diastolic function of left ventricle, as well as systolic function of right ventricle. RESULTS: We observed a significant positive association between OPG and the thickness of the interventricular septum, the size of the left atrium (LA) and the presence of pericardial fluid. A negative relationship was observed between OPG and ejection fraction (EF). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that OPG can be an independent marker of left ventricular hypertrophy, systolic and diastolic dysfunction of left ventricle and the presence of pericardial fluid in chronic kidney disease patients.