The Management of Acute Coronary Syndromes in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

Coronary heart disease is highly prevalent in patients with CKD, and survival after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is worse compared with the general population. Many trials that define guidelines for cardiovascular disease excluded patients with kidney disease, leaving a gap between the evidence base and clinical reality. The underlying pathophysiology of vascular disease appears to be different in the setting of CKD. Patients with CKD are more likely to present with myocardial infarction and less likely to be diagnosed with ACS on admission compared with the general population. Patients with CKD appear to benefit with angiography and revascularization compared with medical management alone. However, the increased risk of in-hospital bleeding and risk of contrast-induced acute kidney injury are 2 factors that can limit overall benefit for some. Thus, judicious application of available therapies for the management of ACS is warranted to extend survival and reduce hospitalizations in this high-risk population. In this review, we highlight the clinical challenges and potential solutions for managing ACS in patients with CKD.