Rapidly Progressive Severe Vascular Calcification Sparing the Kidney Allograft Following Warfarin Initiation

Marta Hristova*, Christine van Beek, Leon J. Schurgers, Beate Lanske, John Danziger

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

We describe a case of rapid onset of vascular calcification coincident with the initiation of warfarin therapy in a kidney transplant recipient. Calcification developed within the media of the blood vessel wall, with relative intimal sparing. Medium and small arteries were affected; however, the aorta was mostly free of calcifications, suggesting a differential response to warfarin between the intima and media and between different vascular beds. In addition, unlike the highly calcified native kidney's vessels, the kidney allograft was not calcified, suggesting local genetically determined mechanisms in preventing vascular calcification. Distal subcutaneous necrosis ultimately led to the patient's death. Am J Kidney Dis 56: 1158-1162.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1158-1162
JournalAmerican Journal of Kidney Diseases
Volume56
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2010

Keywords

  • Vascular calcification
  • warfarin
  • hemodialysis
  • MGP (matrix Gla protein)

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