The Cardio-Kidney Patient: Epidemiology, Clinical Characteristics and Therapy

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at high risk to develop cardiovascular disease with its manifestations coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. In addition, the presence of CKD has a major impact on the prognosis of patients with cardiovascular disease, leading to an increased morbidity and mortality if both comorbidities are present. Therapeutic options including medical therapy and interventional treatment are often limited in patients with advanced CKD, and in most cardiovascular outcome trials, patients with advanced CKD have been excluded. Thus, in many patients, treatment strategies for cardiovascular disease need to be extrapolated from trials conducted in patients without CKD. The current article summarizes the epidemiology, clinical presentation, and treatment options for the most prevalent manifestations of cardiovascular disease in CKD and discusses the currently available treatment options to reduce morbidity and mortality in this high-risk population.

Automated summary

Patients with CKD are at high risk for cardiovascular diseases like coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. The presence of CKD also affects the prognosis of patients with cardiovascular disease, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Treatment options for cardiovascular disease in advanced CKD patients are limited, and trials often exclude these patients. Therefore, strategies for treating cardiovascular disease in CKD patients are extrapolated from trials conducted in patients without CKD. This article summarizes the epidemiology, clinical presentation, and treatment options for cardiovascular disease in CKD, and discusses available treatment options to reduce morbidity and mortality in this high-risk population.