Calcium isotopes as a biomarker for vascular calcification in chronic kidney disease

AbstractCalcium balance is abnormal in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is associated with the development of vascular calcification. It is currently not routine to screen for vascular calcification in CKD patients. In this cross-sectional study, we investigate whether the ratio of naturally occurring calcium (Ca) isotopes, 44Ca and 42Ca, in serum could be used as a noninvasive marker of vascular calcification in CKD.We recruited 78 participants from a tertiary hospital renal center: 28 controls, 9 subjects with mild–moderate CKD, 22 undertaking dialysis and 19 who received a kidney transplant. For each participant, systolic blood pressure, ankle brachial index, pulse wave veloc…