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Vascular Calcification in Chronic Kidney Disease: An Update and Perspective
Si-Chong Ren1,2,3, Nan Mao1,2, Si Yi1,4
11Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China.
Insights
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) accelerates vascular calcification, increasing cardiovascular risks. This review details CKD
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD) leads to irreversible nephron loss and mineral disorders.
- Vascular calcification (VC), a common complication in CKD, significantly elevates cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
- Aging and metabolic disorders are key risk factors for both CKD and VC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the mechanisms of VC in CKD.
- To elucidate the impact of CKD on VC pathophysiology.
- To summarize diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic strategies for VC in CKD.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review.
- Analysis of underlying mechanisms of vascular calcification in CKD.
- Evaluation of diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic applications.
Main Results:
- CKD significantly contributes to the pathophysiology of vascular calcification.
- Several potential clinical diagnostic biomarkers for VC in CKD have been identified.
- Emerging therapeutic strategies show promise for managing VC in CKD patients.
Conclusions:
- Understanding VC mechanisms in CKD is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
- Further research into diagnostic biomarkers and novel therapies is warranted.
- This review provides insights into the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of VC in CKD.
Abstract:
Chronic kidney disease is a devastating condition resulting from irreversible loss of nephron numbers and function and leading to end-stage renal disease and mineral disorders. Vascular calcification, an ectopic deposition of calcium-phosphate salts in blood vessel walls and heart valves, is an independent risk factor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in chronic kidney disease. Moreover, aging and related metabolic disorders are essential risk factors for chronic kidney disease and vascular calcification. Marked progress has been recently made in understanding and treating vascular calcification in chronic kidney disease. However, there is a paucity of systematic reviews summarizing this progress, and investigating unresolved issues is warranted. In this systematic review, we aimed to overview the underlying mechanisms of vascular calcification in chronic kidney diseases and discuss the impact of chronic kidney disease on the pathophysiology of vascular calcification. Additionally, we summarized potential clinical diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic applications for vascular calcification with chronic kidney disease. This review may offer new insights into the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and therapeutic intervention of vascular calcification.
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