Objective To assess aortic compliance in mild chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) patients by non-invasive Doppler ultrasound technique and to analyze its risk factors.Methods The subjects consisted of 109 CRI patients and 50 age-and gender-matched healthy controls.Pulse wave velocity (PWV) in the aorta,as the parameter reflecting aortic compliance,was measured non-invasively using Doppler ultrasound technique.All subjects underwent physical examination,routine blood test,and biochemical blood test.Renal function was estimated by the serum creatinine level.Glomerular filtration rate was obtained by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula.Results Aorta PWV was significantly faster in mild CRI patients than in controls 〔(9.36±0.27) m/s vs (7.15±0.18) m/s〕.Total cholesterol,systolic blood pressure(SBP)and serum creatinine level were significantly higher in mild CRI patients than in controls,while glomerular filtration rate(GFR)and hemoglobin level were significantly lower in mild CRI patients than in controls.Step-by-step multivariate regressive analysis demonstrated that age,SBP and GFR had close relationship with PWV (P< 0.05);and the regressive formula was PWV=0.592+0.06×age+0.12×SBP+0.076×GFR.Conclusion There is decreased aortic compliance in mild CRI patients,which is closely related with impairment of renal function.Early diagnosis and treatment of aortic compliance in mild CRI patients are beneficial to the prognosis and prevention of complications.