Kidney disease measures are associated with the burden of coronary atherosclerosis, independently of diabetes

The main finding of this study is that in a sample of 208 patients with coronary artery disease undergoing PCI we found a strong association between kidney disease measures and the burden of coronary atherosclerosis. In fact, more severe (i.e. 3 VD) atherosclerotic disease was associated with the lowest eGFR and highest ACR values. This association appears to be independent of diabetes and of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Thus, our findings support and extend those of a recent study reporting on the association between the severity of coronary artery lesions and reduction in GFR in patients with mild renal impairment and no diabetes