Chronic Kidney Disease and Its Role in Cardiovascular Disease

Area of Science:

• Nephrology and Cardiology
• Public Health
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the U.S.
• Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects approximately 1 in 7 U.S. adults.
• Significant overlap exists in disease progression mechanisms between CVD and CKD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review shared mechanisms driving the progression of CVD and CKD.
• To explore the impact of impaired kidney function, inflammation, and RAAS dysregulation on the heart and vasculature.
• To examine the mechanisms of action and safety profiles of emerging therapeutic agents.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies investigating the interplay between CKD and CVD.
• Analysis of pathophysiological mechanisms including chronic inflammation and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) dysregulation.
• Evaluation of current and emerging pharmacological treatments targeting these mechanisms.

Main Results:

• Impaired kidney function, chronic inflammation, and RAAS dysregulation are key drivers of comorbid CVD and CKD.
• Specific drug classes, including RAAS inhibitors, SGLT2 inhibitors, MRAs, and GLP-1 RAs, show promise in managing these conditions.
• These treatments target shared pathways, offering potential benefits for both cardiovascular and renal health.

Conclusions:

• Understanding the shared mechanisms between CVD and CKD is crucial for comprehensive patient management.
• Targeting pathways like inflammation and RAAS activation with specific therapies can mitigate disease progression.
• Further research into the efficacy and safety of novel therapeutics is warranted to reduce the overall burden of these prevalent diseases.