Vascular dysfunction and atherosclerosis in chronic kidney disease; A distinct entity

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is prevalent among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its occurrence and severity cannot be fully defined by the conventional cardiovascular risk factors namely age, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, diabetes mellitus and obesity. Contemporary studies have examined the role of non-conventional risk factors such as anemia, hyperhomocysteinemia, calcium and phosphate metabolism, vascular stiffness due to endothelial dysfunction ( ED), oxidative injury, and inflammation in the causation of CVD in CKD. Therapeutic interventions used in non-CKD patients are found to be less effective on patients with CKD. The purpose of this review was to gather available evidence on the CVD risk among CKD patients. Numerous mechanisms have been postulated to describe the increased atherogenicity in CKD patients. We discuss these mechanisms especially arterial stiffness, ED and inflammation in detail. In conclusion, CVD in CKD is still an unexplored area which needs further studies to uncover the possible mechanisms. Identifying newer therapies to improve health among this group of patients is of paramount importance.