Accelerated Atherosclerosis in the Setting of Chronic Kidney Disease

Between 35% and 50% of deaths among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) can be attributed to cardiovascular disease. Even after adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors, cardiovascular mortality risk is substantially increased in a linear fashion with decreasing glomerular filtration rate in CKD. Uremic toxins, oxidative stress and inflammation are critical factors found in CKD that can accelerate the atherosclerotic process. Although the precise mechanistic link(s) between CKD and cardiovascular disease are not yet fully defined, this review will discuss the current state of our knowledge. Lack of effective treatment for cardiovascular disease in CKD is a major unmet clinical need that can only be resolved with greater insight into the unique molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying cardiovacular disease pathogenesis in CKD.