High-sensitive troponin T and N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide are associated with cardiovascular events despite the cross-sectional association with albuminuria and glomerular filtration rate

Background In non-hypertensive individuals, a high sodium diet has little acute effect on blood pressure but, for unclear reasons, is associated with hypertension if consumed chronically. We hypothesized that a chronically high sodium intake would be associated with increases in biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction, specifically serum uric acid (SUA) and urine albumin excretion (UAE), and that high sodium intake would be associated with incident hypertension among those with higher SUA and UAE. Methods and Results We prospectively analyzed the associations between sodium intake and the change in SUA (N=4062) and UAE (N=4146) among participants of the PREVEND study who were not taking antihypertensive medications. We also examined the association of sodium intake with the incidence of hypertension (N=5556) among non-hypertensive participants. After adjusting for confounders, each 1 gram higher sodium intake was associated with a 1.2µmol/L increase in SUA (p=0.01) and a 4.6mg/d increase in UAE (p<0.001). The relation between sodium intake and incident hypertension varied according to SUA and UAE. For each 1 gram higher sodium intake, the adjusted hazard ratio for developing hypertension was 0.98 (0.89–1.08) among those in the lowest tertile of SUA, and 1.09 (1.02–1.16) among those in the highest. Corresponding hazard ratios were 0.99 (0.93–1.06) among participants whose UAE was <10mg/d, and 1.18 (1.07–1.29) among those whose UAE was >15mg/d. Conclusions Over time, higher sodium intake is associated with increases in SUA and UAE. Among individuals with higher SUA and urine UAE, a higher sodium intake is an independent risk factor for developing hypertension.

In our center, 17% of native kidney biopsies are performed in elderly patients aged ≥65 years. In our experience, this procedure was safe and had a 97% diagnostic rate. The available follow-up data of patients suggest that renal histology is not only of benefit in diagnosis but also of potential value in terms of prognosis and treatment.

SummaryBackground and objectives In the albumin-to-creatinine ratio (spot-ACR), urine creatinine corrects for tonicity but also reflects muscle mass. Low muscle mass is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). We hypothesized that the spot-ACR would be higher in women, lower-weight persons, and older individuals, independent of timed urine albumin excretion (24hr-UAE), and accordingly, that spot-ACR would be more strongly associated with CVD events than 24hr-UAE in these subgroups.Design, setting, participants, & methods 2627 PREVEND (Prevention of Renal and Vascular End-stage Disease) participants with 24hr-UAE ,30 mg/d were followed for CVD events for 11 years. Cox regression evaluated associations of spot-ACR and 24hr-UAE with CVD events by sex, weight, and age.Results Female sex (26%), lower weight (2% per 5 kg), and older age (4% per 5 years) were associated with higher spot-ACR independent of 24hr-UAE (P,0.001). Spot urine albumin concentration (hazard ratio [HR], 1.26 per ln-SD higher) and 1/spot urine creatinine concentration (HR, 1.16 per ln-SD higher) were associated with CVD events. Spot-ACR was more strongly associated with CVD events than either component of the ratio (HR, 1.41 per ln-SD higher). Associations of spot-ACR $10 mg/g versus less (HR, 2.33) and 24hr-UAE $10 mg/d versus less (HR, 2.09) with CVD events were similar, and there were no significant differences across subgroups (P for interactions .0.06).Conclusions In community-living individuals with 24hr-UAE ,30 mg/d, spot-ACR is higher in women, older persons, and lower-weight persons, independent of 24hr-UAE. Low spot urine creatinine is associated with CVD risk, but high urine albumin is a stronger determinant of the association of spot-ACR with CVD than is low urine creatinine.