Kidney and brain--a renal perspective of 'Les Liaisons Dangereuses'.

摘要

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) was identified as a major and independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality, CVD being also the leading cause of death in CKD patients [1,2]. At the same time, the prevalence of CKD is increased in CVD patients and even in patients at high risk for CVD. Therefore, the American Heart Association recommends that all high CVD risk patients should be screened for CKD [3]. Extensive information is now available about the relation between heart and kidney and about the impact on the heart and vessels of CKD complications (anaemia, mineral and bone disorders with vascular calcifications). Significantly less information is available on the relation between CKD and the brain.