Association Between Myocardial Work and Coronary Artery Calcium Score in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

Background: Myocardial work is a novel measure of potential value for diagnosing coronary artery disease (CAD). It may therefore be useful in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), in whom the diagnostic work-up can be challenging.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of patients with CKD (G1-5, nondialysis-dependent). Cardiac computed tomography was performed to quantify coronary artery calcium score (CACS). Pressure-strain loop analysis was performed to obtain global and territorial work index (GWI and TWI, respectively). Logistic regression was applied to investigate the association between work measures and high CACS (>400).

Results: We included 455 patients (age: 57 years, 60% men, 8% with previous CAD, and eGFR of 43 mL/min/1.73 m²). High CACS across all coronary arteries was observed in 77 (17%), with 53 (12%) in the left anterior descending (LAD) artery, 28 (6%) in the right coronary artery (RCA), and 17 (4%) in the circumflex (Cx) artery. No difference in GWI was observed for overall high versus non-high CACS (1861 vs. 1937 mmHg%, p = 0.14). TWI was reduced in patients with high versus non-high CACS in the LAD (1772 vs. 1956 mmHg%, p = 0.003) and in the Cx (1556 vs. 1934 mmHg%, p = 0.001), but not in the RCA (p = 0.68). After multivariable regression, TWI remained significantly associated with high CACS in the LAD and Cx in patients with no history of CAD, but not in the RCA.

Conclusion: In patients with CKD, GWI was not associated with an overall high CACS. TWI was, however, associated with a high CACS in specific coronary arteries, although the findings were inconsistent.