Approaches in the management of patients with chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk is increased even in the earliest stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is comparable to that conferred by diabetes. The main causes of death from CVD in CKD patients are a specific form of cardiomyopathy and accelerated atherosclerosis. Although the causes of the high CV risk are not yet fully understood, the main factors responsible for both progression of kidney disease and CV risk are hypertension, dyslipidemia, activation of the renin-angiotensin system and sympathetic nervous system, retention of sodium and phosphate, and vitamin D deficiency. All these factors are susceptible to intervention. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Milan.