Mild to moderate renal impairment is associated with increased left ventricular mass

Background Mild to moderate renal impairment (MMRI) is associated with an excess cardiovascular mortality but the reason for this is unclear. Increased left ventricular mass (LVM) is associated with severe renal dysfunction and a higher cardiovascular mortality. However, whether increased LVM also occurs in patients with milder renal dysfunction is unknown. Methods 336 consecutive patients under investigation for chest pain who underwent concurrent coronary angiography, serum creatinine (Cr) and LVM assessment, were recruited from a university hospital in Shanghai, China. The main outcome measures were: LVM normalised for body surface area (NLVM), renal function determined by Cr, creatinine clearance (CrCl) (Cockroft–Gault equation) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation). Results Mean ± SD age was 56.8 ± 9.5 years, 282 (84%) were male, mean NLVM 107.1 ± 36.8 g/m2, Cr 0.94 ± 0.22 mg/dL, CrCl 82.7 ± 21.7 mL/min/1.73 m2 and GFR 89.4 ± 24.6 mL/min/1.73 m2. NLVM was related to Cr (r = − 0.30), CrCl (r = 0.19) and GFR (r = 0.24) (all p < 0.001). A multiple logistic regression model using quartile analysis of renal function showed that those patients with a Cr 1.06–2.00 mg/dL, CrCl 34.8–67.5 mL/min/1.73 m2 and a GFR 36.2–73.4 mL/min/1.73 m2 were significantly associated with increased NLVM, independent of other variables. Using definitions derived from the National Kidney Foundation Guidelines multiple regression analysis showed MMRI to be independently associated with increased NLVM: Cr 1.2–1.9 mg/dL, odds ratio (OR) 2.77 (CI 1.04–7.40) (p = 0.04); CrCl 30–89.9 mL/min/1.73 m2, OR 1.63 (CI 0.91–2.93) (p = 0.11); GFR 30–89.9 mL/min/1.73 m2, OR 1.76 (CI 1.07–2.90) (p = 0.03). Conclusion In patients being investigated for chest pain, MMRI is significantly and independently associated with increased LVM.