The effects of sevelamer and calcium acetate on proxies of atherosclerotic and arteriosclerotic vascular disease in hemodialysis patients.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

We recently determined that in hemodialysis patients, the use of calcium salts to correct hyperphosphatemia led to progressive coronary artery and aortic calcification as determined by sequential electron beam tomography (EBT) while the use of the non-calcium-containing binder sevelamer did not. Whether the specific calcium preparation (acetate vs. carbonate) might influence the likelihood of progressive calcification was debated.

METHODS:

To determine whether treatment with calcium acetate was specifically associated with hypercalcemia and progressive vascular calcification, we conducted an analysis restricted to 108 hemodialysis patients randomized to calcium acetate or sevelamer and followed for one year.

RESULTS:

The reduction in serum phosphorus was roughly equivalent with both agents (calcium acetate -2.5 +/- 1.8 mg/dl vs. sevelamer -2.8 +/- 2.0 mg/dl, p = 0.53). Subjects given calcium acetate were more likely to develop hypercalcemia (defined as an albumin-corrected serum calcium > or =10.5 mg/dl) (36 vs. 13%, p = 0.015). Treatment with calcium acetate (mean 4.6 +/- 2.1 g/day - equivalent to 1.2 +/- 0.5 g of elemental calcium) led to a significant increase in EBT-determined calcification of the coronary arteries (mean change 182 +/- 350, median change +20, p = 0.002) and aorta (mean change 181 +/- 855, median change +73, p < 0.0001). These changes were similar in magnitude to those seen with calcium carbonate. There were no significant changes in calcification among sevelamer-treated subjects.

CONCLUSION:

Despite purported differences in safety and efficacy relative to calcium carbonate, calcium acetate led to hypercalcemia and progressive vascular calcification in hemodialysis patients.

• Authors: Glenn M Chertow, Paolo Raggi, James T McCarthy, Gerald Schulman, Jeffrey Silberzweig, Amy Kuhlik, William G Goodman, Amy Boulay, Steven K Burke, Robert D Toto
• Journal: American journal of nephrology (Am J Nephrol) 2003 Sep-Oct Vol. 23 Issue 5 Pg. 307-14 ISSN: 0250-8095 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 12915774 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial)
• Copyright: Copyright 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel

Chemical References

• Acetates
• Calcium Compounds
• Epoxy Compounds
• Phosphates
• Polyamines
• Polyethylenes
• Sevelamer
• Calcium
• calcium acetate

Topics

• Acetates (adverse effects, pharmacology)
• Adult
• Aortic Diseases (chemically induced)
• Arteriosclerosis (chemically induced)
• Calcinosis (prevention & control)
• Calcium (blood)
• Calcium Compounds
• Epoxy Compounds (adverse effects, pharmacology)
• Female
• Humans
• Hypercalcemia (chemically induced)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Phosphates (blood)
• Polyamines
• Polyethylenes (adverse effects, pharmacology)
• Renal Dialysis (adverse effects)
• Sevelamer
• Statistics, Nonparametric