What happens to the heart in chronic kidney disease?

Rutherford, E. and Mark, P.B. (2017) What happens to the heart in chronic kidney disease? Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, 47(1), pp. 76-82. (doi: 10.4997/JRCPe.2017.117) (PMID:28569289)

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease is common amongst patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The increased risk of cardiovascular disease seen in the CKD population is attributable to both traditional and novel vascular risk factors. Risk of sudden cardiac or arrhythmogenic death is greatly exaggerated in CKD, particularly in patients with end stage renal disease where the risk is roughly 20 times that of the general population. The reasons for this increased risk are not entirely understood and whilst atherosclerosis is accelerated in the presence of CKD, premature myocardial infarction does not solely account for the excess risk. Recent work demonstrates that the structure and function of the heart starts to alter early in CKD, independent of other risk factors. The implications of cardiac remodelling and hypertrophy may predispose CKD patients to heart failure, arrhythmia and myocardial ischaemia. Further research is needed to minimise cardiovascular risk associated with structural and functional heart disease associated with CKD.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Rutherford, Dr Elaine and Mark, Professor Patrick
• Authors: Rutherford, E., and Mark, P.B.
• Subjects: R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
• Journal Name: Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
• Publisher: Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
• ISSN: 1478-2715
• ISSN (Online): 2042-8189
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2017 Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
• First Published: First published in Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh 47(1): 76-82
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy