Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in patients, with chronic kidney disease (CKD) accounting for more than half of all deaths in this population. Even a modest decrease in renal function has been identified as a powerful, independent risk factor for cardiovascular death. In addition, more than 400,000 people in the United States have end-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring dialysis therapy, with some estimates predicting more than 2 million people by the year 2030. The prognosis for these individuals is poor, with mortality rates in excess of 20% during the first year of dialysis. Cardiac disease remains the major cause of death in patients with ESRD, accounting for 43 % of all-cause mortality. Furthermore, 61% of all cardiac deaths and 26% of all deaths in ESRD patients are presumed to be arrhythmic in etiology. The mortality rate for dialysis patients who survive sudden cardiac death is 85% at 1 year.
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