Can We Tackle with Vascular Calcification and Arterial Stiffness in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease?

摘要

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of increased morbidity and mortality in patients with chronickidney disease and is attributed to early and accelerated atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis observed in this patient population.Vascular calcifications, particularly of the media, are commonly found in chronic uremia and are a major contributorto arteriosclerosis and increased arterial stiffness. Epidemiologic data support the correlation of vascular calcificationand arterial stiffness to adverse cardiovascular outcomes and mortality. Experimental evidence has shed light on thepathogenetic mechanisms of vascular calcification and arterial stiffness and their relation to impaired bone metabolismand imbalance between promoters and inhibitors of extra-osseous bone formation. However further research is needed toclarify their exact contribution and whether their targeting could significantly affect vascular calcification and arterialstiffening and could improve survival in chronic kidney disease patients.