[Cardiovascular system in patients in different stages of chronic kidney disease]

The term "chronic kidney disease" (CKD) was introduced recently to nephrological literature. CKD is a growing epidemic problem, which affects 11% of adult US population. CKD, particularly with GFR below 60 ml/min/1, 73 m2 is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. It is a result of coexistance of "traditional" cardiovascular risk factors cumulation such as hypertension, lipid and carbohydrate disorders but also "non-traditional" cardiovascular risk factors such as: anemia, calcium-phosphate metabolism disturbances, chronic inflammation and others. The paper discusses changes in left ventricle structure and function, arterial structure and function and cardiovascular calcifications in different stages of chronic kidney disease, and their prognostic significance. Result of the study in 31 CKD patients (GFR 39,4 +/- 14, 1 ml/min/m2) and 18 appearently healthy controls are also presented in the paper. Cardiovascular risk factors assessment, echocardiography, common carotid artery USG with diameter and intima-media thickness (IMT) measurement and aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurement were performed in all participants. We found higher total cholersterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglicerides, CRP, advanced glycation end-products (AGE), and calcium x phosphorus product and lower hemoglobin concentration in CKD patients. Fasting glucose and insulin concentration did not differ between CKD patients and control group but insulin/glucose ratio was higher in CKD group. Abnormal left ventricular heart structure was found in 55% of CKD patients. Carotid artery internal diameter, intima-media thickness and aortic PWV--a marker of increased arterial stiffness - were higher in CKD patients. The study indicates that cardiovascular risk factors and cardiac and arterial abnormalities should be evaluated from the start of CKD.