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Updated: Aug 2, 2025

Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
Published on: June 16, 2014
Endothelial Cell Dysfunction and Increased Cardiovascular Risk in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
Constance C F M J Baaten1,2, Sonja Vondenhoff1, Heidi Noels1,2
1Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research (IMCAR), University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany (C.C.F.M.J.B., S.V., H.N.).
Abstract:
The endothelium is considered to be the gatekeeper of the vessel wall, maintaining and regulating vascular integrity. In patients with chronic kidney disease, protective endothelial cell functions are impaired due to the proinflammatory, prothrombotic and uremic environment caused by the decline in kidney function, adding to the increase in cardiovascular complications in this vulnerable patient population. In this review, we discuss endothelial cell functioning in healthy conditions and the contribution of endothelial cell dysfunction to cardiovascular disease. Further, we summarize the phenotypic changes of the endothelium in chronic kidney disease patients and the relation of endothelial cell dysfunction to cardiovascular risk in chronic kidney disease. We also review the mechanisms that underlie endothelial changes in chronic kidney disease and consider potential pharmacological interventions that can ameliorate endothelial health.
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