Investigation on the Association of Cardiovascular Markers with Severity of Chronic Pyelonephritis

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an established independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and is caused by chronic pyelonephritis (CP). This study aimed to investigate the effect of the association of cardiovascular markers with the course of CP on the comorbidity of CP with ischemic heart disease. The study participants included 125 patients with CP without symptoms of urinary tract obstruction who were divided into three groups. The first group (n=45) consisted of patients with recurrent CP (CPr) three or more times per year. The second group (n=42) included patients with active phase pyelonephritis (CPa), with a frequency of two times or less per year, with concomitant pathology (stable coronary artery disease, functional class I - II), and the third group (n=38) included patients with an inactive phase of the disease (CPi), with a history of pyelonephritis of at least five years. The patients’ carotid artery augmentation index (AI %) and the change in the diameter of the brachial artery (D %) in CPi, CPa, and CPr groups were 8.44±1.76, 15.47±4.00, 11.71±1.70, 13.81±3.06, 12.75±2.55 and 6.54±3.27, respectively. The left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) index in the three study groups was estimated to be 68.92±3.76, 64.76±2.75, and 66.28±3.45%, respectively. An analysis of the results showed the most significant changes in the parameters of the cardiovascular system in patients with a comorbid and relapsing course of CP. The results showed a significant increase in pulmonary artery diameter, EF, left ventricular pressure and volume, pulse wave velocity in the aorta, and vascular resistance index.