Lipid lowering in renal disease

Abstract

Statins reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with chronic kidney disease who do not require dialysis. However, this benefit diminishes with progression of kidney disease and in transplant recipients. Current evidence suggests that statins may not reduce cardiovascular risk in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease requiring dialysis. Evidence for fibrates is more limited but they appear to reduce lipids and cardiovascular events in patients with mild to moderate chronic kidney disease. There is little evidence for the benefit of starting statins in patients on haemodialysis.