Arterial calcification and stiffness in chronic kidney disease

1. Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) demonstrate a high burden of vascular disease. This vascular disease is unusual by way of a preponderance of medial calcification. Further, traditional cardiovascular risk factors fail to fully explain the high cardiovascular event rate in this population. 2. The present review examines the problem of medial calcification and arterial stiffness evident in patients with CKD and explores evidence for its existence and the potential pathological process involved. Many factors are emerging as potential culprits in this disease entity, although the specific roles of components such as fetuin-A, matrix Gla protein, osteopontin and fibroblast growth factor-23 have yet to be determined. Calcium and phosphate balance remains integral to the pathological process. 3. Pulse wave velocity has proven to be a useful tool to assess and follow arterial stiffness in CKD patients and is discussed. 4. Finally, techniques aimed at reducing or reversing arterial calcification and stiffness are discussed, with as yet no definitive answers available.