Cardiovascular Death in Uremia—More Complex Than We Thought

A brief overview is provided of the history of cardiovascular complications in renal disease and the underlying pathomechanisms involved in the acceleration of atherogenesis in the earliest stages of renal malfunction. Coronary artery disease versus cardiomyopathy as the cause of cardiac death in renal patients is discussed. Interventions to attenuate the progression of chronic kidney disease, such as blood pressure lowering, treatment with statins and beta-blockers, and blockade of the renin-angiotensin system, are also covered.