Cardiovascular co-morbidity in chronic kidney disease: Current knowledge and future research needs

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Cardiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health issue with high morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs.
• CKD independently elevates the risk of adverse health outcomes, particularly cardiovascular disease (CVD).
• Coronary artery disease is the leading CVD type in CKD patients and a major cause of death in renal transplant recipients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the traditional and non-traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
• To highlight the prevalence and impact of uraemia-specific risk factors in CKD.
• To discuss the limitations of current therapeutic interventions targeting traditional CVD risk factors in CKD.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of traditional and non-traditional CVD risk factors in CKD patients.
• Analysis of the impact of uraemia-specific factors on CVD risk as kidney function declines.
• Evaluation of the effectiveness of interventions targeting traditional CVD risk factors in CKD.

Main Results:

• Traditional CVD risk factors (smoking, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes) are highly prevalent in CKD patients.
• Non-traditional, uraemia-specific risk factors (low hemoglobin, albuminuria, abnormal bone/mineral metabolism) increase with declining kidney function.
• Interventions targeting traditional risk factors have not sufficiently reduced CVD events or mortality in CKD.

Conclusions:

• Traditional CVD risk factor management alone is insufficient for CKD patients.
• Non-traditional, uraemia-specific risk factors require further investigation and targeted therapeutic strategies.
• Future research should focus on establishing clear evidence for modifying non-traditional risk factors to improve CVD outcomes in CKD.