BACKGROUND: Vascular calcification is known to be a risk factor for ischemic heart disease in non-uremic
individuals. Patients with ESRD experience accelerated vascular calcification, due at least in
part to dysregulation of mineral metabolism. Clinical correlates of the extent of calcification
in ESRD have not been identified. Moreover, the clinical relevance of calcification as
measured by electron-beam tomography (EBT) has not been determined in the ESRD
population.