WCN26-214 Association Between Ankle-Brachial Index and Coronary Artery Calcification Score in Patients Beginning Hemodialysis

Patients initiating hemodialysis (HD) face a markedly increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The ankle-brachial index (ABI) is a simple, non-invasive marker reflecting distinct vascular calcification patterns: low ABI indicates intimal arterial calcification (IAC), while high ABI may reflect medial arterial calcification (MAC). Coronary artery calcium score (CACS), measured by computed tomography, represents coronary atherosclerosis but does not distinguish between IAC and MAC. Although several studies have examined ABI–CACS associations in maintenance dialysis, evidence at the time of HD initiation remains limited.