CHENNAI: An abdominal lumbar X-Ray is the cheapest and fastest way to keep patients with kidney disorders from developing heart problems.Researchers have long been suggesting that patients with chronic kidney diseases have higher levels of phosphorus in the blood, which causes increased calcification of the major arteries and heart valves thus increasing risk of cardiovascular diseases. Experts in the city are now necessitating an abdominal x-ray to determine calcification at the right time, thereby preventing fatal consequences. Dr R Ravichandran, Director MIOT Institute of Nephrology, explains, “This is a simple X-Ray of the lower spine that can illustrate the excess level of calcium in the body. It is available at all the laboratories and we have been working towards creating this as an essential test for all our patients. Early diagnosis can significantly contribute in preventing deaths due to heart problems.” The likelihood of getting kidney diseases depends on risk factors including family history, longstanding and uncontrolled diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension. The major concern with kidney problems is that the patients often do not know that their kidneys are affected until they have failed completely. As per the National Kidney Foundation of India, 100 in 1 million suffer from kidney diseases and around 90,000 kidney transplants per year are required in the country. Only 22.5% of patients requiring dialysis receive treatment and only 2.5% of patients in kidney failure receive transplants.As for patients on long term dialysis, Dr KC Prakash, Head - Nephrology, Apollo Hospital, suggests, “Long term dialysis patients who are on calcium-based binders for the control of phosphorus may be evaluated with different X-ray modality to detect vascular calcification.” Patients detected with kidney disease are further recommended to go for the calcification x-ray.
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