Abstract

Background
The living kidney donor is exposed to the renal function impairment as a result of kidney donation, which may increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. It seems justified to identify cardiovascular risk factors prior to kidney donation.
Material and Methods
We analyzed data of 50 consecutive potential kidney donors. All individuals underwent clinical examination and lipid profile. For each subject we calculated atherogenic index. To calculate the 10-year risk of cardiovascular death, the HeartScore calculator was used.
Results
The most frequent risk factors were obesity, lipid disorders, and smoking. In 72% of subjects, at least 1 of the risk factors was detected. Atherogenic index values considered to indicate high risk of atherosclerosis were found in 16% of subjects. More than 40% of subjects had more than 1 coronary risk factor, and most had 2.
In 58% of subjects, the calculated HeartScore risk value was consistent with risk estimated for age, and in 26% it exceeded this value by 1–9% (mean, 3.1%).
Conclusions
The prevalence of coronary risk factors is high in potential kidney donors. HeartScore seems to be a useful method to evaluate the risk of cardiovascular mortality in these individuals, and is a simple tool to use in controlling the influence of the modification of risk factors on the global risk in follow-up. Comparison with the value of risk acceptable according to age and sex may oblige the physician to take action to reduce it.

Keywords: kidney living donors, cardiovascular mortality, Risk Factors, HeartScore