Cardiovascular Disease In Chronic Kidney Disease Patients Research Articles

The role of semi-quantitative parameters of thallium-201 myocardial perfusion imaging in predicting mortality rate among CKD population

Abstract Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health concern worldwide, with high morbidity and mortality rates. Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is a non-invasive diagnostic tool that can detect early-stage cardiovascular disease in CKD patients. Purpose This study aimed to investigate the role of semi-quantitative parameters of Thallium-201 MPI in predicting mortality rates among CKD patients. Methods This retrospective study included 579 CKD patients who underwent Thallium-201 MPI between October 2005 and December 2019. Semi-quantitative parameters were analyzed using automation software, including transient ischemic dilation (TID), lung-to-heart ratio (LHR), total perfusion deficit (TPD), summed stress score (SSS), summed rest score (SRS), summed difference score (SDS), summed thickening percent (ST%), summed motion percent (SM%), stress end-diastolic volume (EDV), stress end-systolic volume (ESV), and stress left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). The primary endpoint was overall mortality. Results During a median follow-up of 52 months, 148 patients died. The older age group, lower hemoglobin levels, and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were associated with higher mortality rates. The semi-quantitative parameters that predicted overall mortality included LHR above 0.4, elevated ST% , increased stress EDV and ESV, and reduced stress LVEF in a multivariable Cox regression model. Conclusion Thallium-201 MPI with semi-quantitative parameters can predict mortality rates in CKD patients without a definite diagnosis of coronary artery disease. The identified parameters, including LHR above 0.4, elevated ST levels, increased stress EDV and ESV, and reduced stress LVEF can assist in early detection the mortality risk in CKD patients.Characteristics of CKD PatientsMultivariable Analysis

Screening for chronic kidney disease: change of perspective and novel developments.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a serious health issue because of its rising global prevalence and its complications, such as kidney failure and cardiovascular disease (CVD). CKD is mainly diagnosed late or undiagnosed, delaying or missing the initiation of preventive interventions. Screening can prevent or delay progressive kidney function decline and CVD. This article reviews diagnostic tests and risk prediction developments for patients with CKD, highlights key evidence for targeted screening, and provides new insights into population-wide screening. Large cohort studies and clinical trial data established the strong association of albuminuria with CKD outcomes, supporting the role of albuminuria as target of CKD screening and treatment. Significant advances in both risk prediction of CKD and CVD in CKD patients and treatment options provided new evidence for the relevance and implications of CKD screening. Guidelines recommend targeted screening in high-risk patients, but evidence suggests limited adherence to guideline recommendations. More recently, population-wide screening has been investigated as another approach, showing potential effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. There is increasing evidence for the methods, implications, and effectiveness of CKD screening. Implementing and optimizing screening strategies requires enhanced awareness and understanding of the possibilities for CKD screening within different healthcare systems.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Disease in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients at King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH).

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has emerged as a significant global health concern, with its incidence doubling over the past three decades. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) pose a major threat to CKD patients, surpassing the risk of progressing to end-stage renal disease. While previous studies worldwide have shed light on this association, limited research has been conducted in Saudi Arabia regarding this burden. This study aims to fill this gap by identifying the prevalence and risk factors of CVD in CKD patients at King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between 2017 and 2022. A six-year retrospective review of medical records at KAUH was conducted, including 465 non-end-stage CKD patients aged 30 to 79. Data, including demographics, clinical information, and laboratory results, were collected and statistically analyzed to investigate the association between variables. Out of 465 CKD patients, 262 (56.3%) were diagnosed with CVD, with congestive heart failure and ischemic heart disease being the most common types. The majority were male 259 (55.7%), non-Saudi 278 (59.8%), and aged 60 years and older 291 (62.6%). Hypertension 394 (84.7%) and diabetes mellitus 336 (72.3%) were prevalent comorbidities. Severely reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, proteinuria, diabetes mellitus, and higher BMI were identified as significant risk factors for CVD in CKD patients. This research contributes valuable insights into the prevalence and risk factors of CVD in CKD patients in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the need for early detection and intervention. The identified risk factors provide a basis for developing targeted preventive strategies to mitigate this population's CVD burden.

Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors' Mechanism of Action and Use in Kidney Transplantation Recipients: Extended Review and Update

AbstractFive sodium-glucose cotransporters (SGLTs) protein family members are important for regulating blood glucose levels. The essential cotransporters for glucose reabsorption by proximal convoluted tubule are SGLT1 and 2. The newest recommendations advocate GLT2 inhibitors as first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes (T2D) with and without chronic kidney disease (CKD), improving CKD and cardiovascular outcomes.SGLT2 inhibitors enhance kidney transplant patients' life quality, delay CKD progression, have renoprotective effects, and reduce cardiovascular disease in CKD patients, despite minimal published evidence on the usage of SGLT2 inhibitors in kidney transplantation recipients (KTxRs) with T2D or new-onset T2D. They preserve and improve renal function and cardiovascular outcomes in KTxRs. SGLT2 inhibitors' safety issues have prevented KTxRs from participating in major randomized studies, leaving doctors and patients unsure whether these extraordinary drugs outweigh the risks.This extended review analyzes the established mechanisms through which SGLT2 inhibitors exert their positive effects, evaluate the potential advantages and drawbacks of these agents in KTx, and examine the current research findings on using SGLT2 inhibitors in KTxRs. Additionally, potential avenues for future research will be suggested. Different phrases were used to search for recent original and review articles published between January 2020 and November 2023 in PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, EMBASE, and Google to achieve the review objectives.

Measured sodium excretion is associated with cardiovascular outcomes in non-dialysis CKD patients: results from the KNOW-CKD study.

There are insufficient studies on the effect of dietary salt intake on cardiovascular (CV) outcomes in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, and there is no consensus on the sodium (Na) intake level that increases the risk of CV disease in CKD patients. Therefore, we investigated the association between dietary salt intake and CV outcomes in CKD patients. In the Korean cohort study for Outcome in patients with CKD (KNOW-CKD), 1,937 patients were eligible for the study, and their dietary Na intake was estimated using measured 24h urinary Na excretion. The primary outcome was a composite of CV events and/or all-cause death. The secondary outcome was a major adverse cardiac event (MACE). Among 1,937 subjects, there were 205 (10.5%) events for the composite outcome and 110 (5.6%) events for MACE. Compared to the reference group (urinary Na excretion< 2.0g/day), the group with the highest measured 24h urinary Na excretion (urinary Na excretion ≥ 8.0g/day) was associated with increased risk of both the composite outcome (hazard ratio 3.29 [95% confidence interval 1.00-10.81]; P = 0.049) and MACE (hazard ratio 6.28 [95% confidence interval 1.45-27.20]; P = 0.013) in a cause-specific hazard model. Subgroup analysis also showed a pronounced association between dietary salt intake and the composite outcome in subgroups of patients with abdominal obesity, female, lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (< 60 ml/min per 1.73m2), no overt proteinuria, or a lower urinary potassium-to-creatinine ratio (< 46 mmol/g). A high-salt diet is associated with CV outcomes in non-dialysis CKD patients.

Serum miRNA-146a and vitamin D values in chronic renal ailment with and without comorbid cardiovascular disease

ABSTRACT Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global concern and is a serious health issue that is closely associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Accordingly, there is a rising clinical demand for promoting the importance of the screening and diagnosis of CVD in CKD patients. The purpose of this research was to assess the effectiveness of blood microRNA-146a and vitamin D levels in CKD detection and cardiovascular complications prediction. When CKD participants, either complicated or not, were compared to the control group, plasma rates of Vascular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and microRNA-146a were greater, while serum vitamin D values were markedly smaller. Hence, although blood miR-RNA146a quantities can be used as a reliable and particular CKD biomarker, they cannot be used to identify CVD in CKD patients since its level was not significantly different in CKD and CKD+CVD patients.

Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor-1α Increases Fibrinogen Gene Expression in Liver and Plasma Fibrinogen Concentration in Rats with Experimental Chronic Renal Failure

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with elevated plasma fibrinogen concentration. However, the underlying molecular mechanism for elevated plasma fibrinogen concentration in CKD patients has not yet been clarified. We recently found that HNF1α was significantly upregulated in the liver of chronic renal failure (CRF) rats, an experimental model of CKD in patients. Given that the promoter region of the fibrinogen gene possesses potential binding sites for HNF1α, we hypothesized that the upregulation of HNF1α can increase fibrinogen gene expression and consequently plasma fibrinogen concentration in the experimental model of CKD. Here, we found the coordinated upregulation of Aα-chain fibrinogen and Hnfα gene expression in the liver and elevated plasma fibrinogen concentrations in CRF rats, compared with pair-fed and control animals. Liver Aα-chain fibrinogen and HNF1α mRNAs levels correlated positively with (a) liver and plasma fibrinogen levels and (b) liver HNF1α protein levels. The positive correlation between (a) liver Aα-chain fibrinogen mRNA level, (b) liver Aα-chain fibrinogen level, and (c) serum markers of renal function suggest that fibrinogen gene transcription is closely related to the progression of kidney disease. Knockdown of Hnfα in the HepG2 cell line by small interfering RNA (siRNA) led to a decrease in fibrinogen mRNA levels. Clofibrate, an anti-lipidemic drug that reduces plasma fibrinogen concentration in humans, decreased both HNF1α and Aα-chain fibrinogen mRNAs levels in (a) the liver of CRF rats and (b) HepG2 cells. The obtained results suggest that (a) an elevated level of liver HNF1α can play an important role in the upregulation of fibrinogen gene expression in the liver of CRF rats, leading to an elevated concentration of plasma fibrinogen, a protein related to the risk of cardiovascular disease in CKD patients, and (b) fibrates can decrease plasma fibrinogen concentration through inhibition of HNF1α gene expression.

The role of folic acid supplementation on lowering homocysteine level in chronic kidney disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Elevated homocysteine levels in CKD patients were thought to be one of the causes. Folic acid supplementation, which was known to improve anemia in CKD patients, can also reduce homocysteine levels, which would reduce cardiovascular events. In this review we will discuss the pathophysiology of hyperhomocysteinemia in CKD patients and studies that explain the role of folic acid to lower homocysteine levels that can also lower the risk of CVD in CKD patients. There are some conflicting results among available studies, but folic acid still seems reasonable to be considered as a suitable supplementary therapy in individuals with CKD after a thorough evaluation of the patient's folate status.

S-41-5: NEW INSIGHTS INTO THE OPTIMAL ANTIHYPERTENSIVE THERAPY IN CKD PATIENTS

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is defined as continuous existence of reduced renal function, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) &lt; 60 mL/min/1.73m2, and/or proteinuria including microalbuminuria. CKD patients are not only prone to progress to renal failure but also at high risk for developing cardiovascular diseases (CVD) as the concept of cardio-renal syndrome is assumed. As the cause of CKD, diabetic kidney disease and nephrosclerosis are dominating and their progression is promoted by aging and lifestyle-related diseases (LSD) such as hypertension and diabetes. Therefore, in order to maximally prevent renal failure and CVD in CKD patients, aggressive intervention achieving strict control of LSD starting at its earliest stage is important. Renal function is generally evaluated by eGFR, however, the fundamental aspect of renal function is renal blood flow or renal plasma flow (RPF), and the decrease of RPF is compensated by the increase in filtration fraction yielding the maintenance of GFR value. Accordingly, if eGFR is less than 60, it should be recognized that the extent of renal injury is not mild but moderate or worse. However, the measurement of RPF requires laborious and invasive procedure. Albuminuria may reflect the increase in glomerular capillary pressure (glomerular hypertension) elicited by reduced nephron number but the urinary albumin excretion is highly variable and is not necessarily parallel to the degree of renal injury. Among LSD, hypertension plays a pivotal role as the risk factor for renal failure and CVD, and the strict blood pressure control targeting &lt; 130/80mmHg is recommended in the guidelines. As antihypertensive agents, renin-angiotensin system inhibitors such as ARB and ACE inhibitors are preferred because of dilating the efferent arterioles resulting in the alleviation of glomerular hypertension and the reduction in albuminuria. Calcium channel blockers have advantage in preserving RPF and GFR by dilating the afferent arterioles. In addition, recent randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors retard the GFR decrease in diabetic and non-diabetic CKD patients. Angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor, now used for hypertension, has also been shown to reduce the risks of GFR decrease and worsening of renal function in heart failure patients. Nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists are expected to provide renoprotective effects such as albuminuria reduction with affordable risk of hyperkalemia. Thus, in future strategy of antihypertensive therapy for CKD aiming maximum renal and cardiovascular protection, practical evaluation of renal injuries at early stages and incorporation of drugs with new evidence are the key issues.

Uremic toxins in chronic kidney disease highlight a fundamental gap in understanding their detrimental effects on cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmogenesis.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) have an estimated 700-800 and 523 million cases worldwide, respectively, with CVD being the leading cause of death in CKD patients. The pathophysiological interplay between the heart and kidneys is defined as the cardiorenal syndrome (CRS), in which worsening of kidney function is represented by increased plasma concentrations of uremic toxins (UTs), culminating in dialysis patients. As there is a high incidence of CVD in CKD patients, accompanied by arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death, knowledge on electrophysiological remodeling would be instrumental for understanding the CRS. While the interplay between both organs is clearly of importance in CRS, the involvement of UTs in pro-arrhythmic remodeling is only poorly investigated, especially regarding the mechanistic background. Currently, the clinical approach against potential arrhythmic events is mainly restricted to symptom treatment, stressing the need for fundamental research on UT in relation to electrophysiology. This review addresses the existing knowledge of UTs and cardiac electrophysiology, and the experimental research gap between fundamental research and clinical research of the CRS. Clinically, mainly absorbents like ibuprofen and AST-120 are studied, which show limited safe and efficient usability. Experimental research shows disturbances in cardiac electrical activation and conduction after inducing CKD or exposure to UTs, but are scarcely present or focus solely on already well-investigated UTs. Based on UTs data derived from CKD patient cohort studies, a clinically relevant overview of physiological and pathological UTs concentrations is created. Using this, future experimental research is stimulated to involve electrophysiologically translatable animals, such as rabbits, or in vitro engineered heart tissues.

Physical Activity and Exercise for Cardiorespiratory Health and Fitness in Chronic Kidney Disease.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), major adverse CVD events, and cardiovascular mortality. Low levels of physical activity and reduced cardiorespiratory fitness further compound the health consequences in this patient population. Aerobic exercise alone and the combination of aerobic and resistance exercise have beneficial effects for improving aerobic capacity while resistance exercise alone improves strength and skeletal muscle health. Given the prevalence of CVD in CKD patients and limited treatment options targeting traditional and non-traditional CVD risk factors in this population, the incoroporation of physical activity and exercise into the care of CKD seems critical for improving patient outcomes. Therefore, the purpose of this narrative review is to discuss the evidence of physical activity and exercise in CKD patients and the effects on cardiovascular outcomes and fitness.

The Role of Advanced Glycation End Products and Its Soluble Receptor in Kidney Diseases.

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are more prone to oxidative stress and chronic inflammation, which may lead to an increase in the synthesis of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Because AGEs are mostly removed by healthy kidneys, AGE accumulation is a result of both increased production and decreased kidney clearance. On the other hand, AGEs may potentially hasten decreasing kidney function in CKD patients, and are independently related to all-cause mortality. They are one of the non-traditional risk factors that play a significant role in the underlying processes that lead to excessive cardiovascular disease in CKD patients. When AGEs interact with their cell-bound receptor (RAGE), cell dysfunction is initiated by activating nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), increasing the production and release of inflammatory cytokines. Alterations in the AGE-RAGE system have been related to the development of several chronic kidney diseases. Soluble RAGE (sRAGE) is a decoy receptor that suppresses membrane-bound RAGE activation and AGE-RAGE-related toxicity. sRAGE, and more specifically, the AGE/sRAGE ratio, may be promising tools for predicting the prognosis of kidney diseases. In the present review, we discuss the potential role of AGEs and sRAGE as biomarkers in different kidney pathologies.

Cathepsin S as an early biomarker for cardiovascular disease in chronic kidney disease patients.

Introduction:A high incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events and premature mortality is observed in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Thus, new biomarkers that may help predict the development of CVD in early stages of CKD are being investigated along with other traditional risk factors.Objective:To investigate cathepsin S as an early biomarker for CVD in patients with CKD.Methods:A total of 64 patients with CKD were included and classified into 2 groups: CKD patients with established CVD and CKD patients with non-established CVD. All patients were submitted to routine investigations including complete blood count, random blood sugar, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), serum electrolytes, urea, creatinine, total protein, total albumin, calcium total, phosphorous, uric acid, vitamin D, parathormone, lipid profile, liver function test, measurement of serum cathepsin S (Cat S), and 2D Echo of the heart.Results:The level of serum Cat S was increased in CKD patients with CVD (p <0.05) as well as in later stages of CKD (p <0.05). CVD was also more common in patients in early stage CKD. In early stages CKD, Cat S and CVD were positively correlated.Conclusion:These findings suggest that serum Cat S might be useful as an early biomarker for CVD in CKD patients.

Klotho as a biomarker of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with moderate to severe chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). CKD patients present a decrease in the levels of the protein Klotho that accompanies the decrease in kidney function. This protein has been related to protective effects against CVD. However, it is unclear whether circulating Klotho, and its expression in peripheral blood cells (PBCs) are also associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in CKD. The present study aimed to study the relationship between Klotho and subclinical atherosclerosis in a population of patients with moderate to severe CKD. We determined the serum levels and gene expression in PBCs levels of Klotho and three inflammatory cytokines in 103 patients with CKD and investigated their relationship with two surrogate markers of subclinical atherosclerotis: ankle-brachial index (ABI) and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT). Patients with subclinical atherosclerosis presented lower serum and PBCs expression levels of Klotho. Both variables were associated with the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis, being directly related with ABI and inversely with CIMT (P < 0.0001 for both). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that both variables were significant determinants for ABI (adjusted R2 = 0.511, P < 0.0001) and CIMT (adjusted R2 = 0.445, P < 0.0001), independently of traditional and emergent cardiovascular risk factors. Moreover, both constituted protective factors against subclinical atherosclerosis [OR: 0.993 (P = 0.002) and 0.231 (P = 0.025), respectively]. Receiver operating characteristic analysis pointed to the utility of serum Klotho (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.817, 95% CI: 0.736–0.898, P < 0.001) and its gene expression in PBCs (AUC: 0.742, 95% CI: 0.647–0.836, P < 0.001) to distinguish subclinical atherosclerosis. The reductions in serum and PBCs expression levels of Klotho in CKD patients are independently associated with the presence of for subclinical atherosclerosis. Further research exploring whether therapeutic approaches to maintain or elevate Klotho could reduce the impact of CVD in CKD patients is warranted.

Correlation between thyroid autoantibodies and cardiovascular disease in patients with stages 3-5 chronic kidney disease.

BackgroundChronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with thyroid disease and cardiovascular disease (CVD). To date, little is known about the association of thyroid autoantibodies with renal function or cardiac function in patients with CKD.MethodsThis is a descriptive cross-sectional study. Patients diagnosed with stages 3–5 CKD from January 2015 to May 2019 at our department were recruited. Routine medical history, general clinical data, and laboratory test indexes were collected for all patients. Echocardiography was performed by a trained echocardiographer to measure E in early diastole and A, E/A ratio, E’ in early diastole, A’ in end-diastole, E/E’ ratio, and E’/A’ ratio.ResultsA total of 1,164 patients with stages 3–5 CKD were included. Thyrotropin receptor antibody (TRAb) was significantly positively correlated with C-reactive protein (r=0.206, P<0.001). Thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) and TGAb titers in male diabetic patients were higher (r=0.137, P=0.023; r=0.159, P=0.011). In female patients, both TPOAb and TGAb were significantly negatively correlated with hemoglobin (r=–0.213, P=0.018; r=–0.188, P=0.019). The E/E’ of patients who were TPOAb positive was higher than that in patients with TPOAb negative (r=0.181, P<0.001). LVEF in patients who were TPOAb positive was higher than that in patients with TPOAb negative (r=0.159, P=0.007). In addition, LVEF was significantly negatively correlated with TRAb (r=–0.112, P=0.026).ConclusionsIn patients with stages 3–5 CKD, AITD may increase the risk of CVD in CKD patients by affecting triglycerides levels, increasing the risk of anemia, and promoting micro-inflammation. Attention should be paid to female patients with high TPOAb and TGAb titers. The mean of E/E’ in patients with stage 5 CKD was 16.89 in the present study. Women with TPOAb positive may be more likely to develop diastolic heart failure.

Evaluation of Statin Use and Prescribing in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Not Receiving Treatment with Kidney Transplant or Dialysis

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes 2013 guidelines and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society 2016 guidelines recommend statins for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in CKD patients aged 50 years or older who are not receiving treatment with kidney transplant or dialysis. To evaluate statin use for patients in the Vancouver General Hospital Kidney Care Clinic (VGH KCC) and to gain insight into the KCC nephrologists' practices and perspectives regarding the prescribing of statins for patients with CKD. The study comprised 2 parts. Part 1 consisted of a cross-sectional study of all statin-eligible patients in the VGH KCC followed by a retrospective chart review. In the chart review, data were collected for 250 statin users and 250 non-users. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine associations between demographic variables and statin use or non-use. Part 2 was an electronic survey of VGH KCC nephrologists. Of the 813 statin-eligible patients, 512 (63%) were taking a statin. Patients were approximately 5 times more likely to be receiving statin therapy when it was indicated for secondary versus primary prevention (adjusted odds ratio 4.64, 95% confidence interval 2.95-7.47). Eight of the 9 KCC nephrologists completed the survey, and 7 (87.5%) of these respondents indicated that they never or rarely prescribed statins themselves to KCC patients for primary prevention. However, the same number reported that they sometimes or often suggested statin initiation to family physicians. Three of the respondents indicated agreement with guideline recommendations, but many stated that the decision for statin initiation should be individualized to the patient. Strategies to improve statin prescribing rates that were endorsed by respondents included educating family physicians, creating preprinted orders and laboratory requisitions for statin initiation, providing educational materials about statins to patients, and implementing a protocol for KCC pharmacists to counsel patients about statins. Many statin-eligible VGH KCC patients were not receiving statin therapy, and most of the KCC nephrologists considered statin prescribing as a role for family physicians. Within the KCC, future directions will be to develop a standardized approach to identify patients who would benefit from statin therapy, and to implement strategies to improve statin prescribing rates in appropriate patients.

Expanded Haemodialysis as a Current Strategy to Remove Uremic Toxins.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by the retention of solutes named uremic toxins, which strongly associate with high morbidity and mortality. Mounting evidence suggests that targeting uremic toxins and/or their pathways may decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease in CKD patients. Dialysis therapies have been developed to improve removal of uremic toxins. Advances in our understanding of uremic retention solutes as well as improvements in dialysis membranes and techniques (HDx, Expanded Hemodialysis) will offer the opportunity to ameliorate clinical symptoms and outcomes, facilitate personalized and targeted dialysis treatment, and improve quality of life, morbidity and mortality.

Lipoprotein Abnormalities in Chronic Kidney Disease and Renal Transplantation.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Despite the kidney having no direct implications for lipoproteins metabolism, advanced CKD dyslipidemia is usually present in patients with CKD, and the frequent lipid and lipoprotein alterations occurring in these patients play a role of primary importance in the development of CVD. Although hypertriglyceridemia is the main disorder, a number of lipoprotein abnormalities occur in these patients. Different enzymes pathways and proteins involved in lipoprotein metabolism are impaired in CKD. In addition, treatment of uremia may modify the expression of lipoprotein pattern as well as determine acute changes. In renal transplantation recipients, the main lipid alteration is hypercholesterolemia, while hypertriglyceridemia is less pronounced. In this review we have analyzed lipid and lipoprotein disturbances in CKD and also their relationship with progression of renal disease. Hypolipidemic treatments may also change the natural history of CVD in CKD patients and may represent important strategies in the management of CKD patients.

POS-259 MHR status as marker of 10-year risk and lifetime risk of recurrent Cardiovascular events in patients with CKD and Diabetes Mellitus

Patients with Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and Diabetes Mellitus are more exposed to atherosclerosis injury and have a higher risk of premature death from cardiovascular disease (CVD). Cardiovascular events are worsened by inflammation, oxidative stress, lipid accumulation and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) reduction: individuals with perturbed lipid metabolism more frequently present monocyte profile changes, with an altered pro-inflammatory phenotype leading to a major risk of plaque formation and atherosclerosis. The alteration of the balance between monocyte and HDL, represented by the Monocyte/HDL ratio (MHR), is an easy way to evaluate the inflammatory status and to study appropriate strategies to treat high-risk patients. We evaluated 150 consecutive diabetic patients with CKD hospitalized in the Unit of Nephrology and Dialysis of the Policlinic G. Martino of Messina, Italy, with a history of CVD. We used the SMART-REACH SCORE, a model created to estimate life expectancy without recurrent cardiovascular events for individuals with a history of CVD. We performed a retrospective analysis of the MHR status of our patients to study its correlations with the 10-year risk and lifetime risk for myocardial infarction, stroke or vascular death, recurrent event and free life-expectancy if standard care is provided. In the entire cohort of patients, MHR appeared to be positively correlated with ten-year risk (ρ=0.469; P <0.0001) and lifetime risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, or CV death (ρ=0.428; P <0.0001). Furthermore, patients with higher MHR levels had a significantly smaller number of years of CVD-free life expectancy (ρ=-0.364; P <0.0001) (Figure 1). MHR can represent a valid tool to predict the recurrence of CVD in CKD patients with diabetes. This easy-to-perform marker of oxidative stress and cardiovascular risk can be used alone or in a multiple biomarker approach, improving the stratification and management of patients with comorbidities and risk of life- threatening conditions.

Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Pre-dialysis Chronic Kidney Disease patients of Nepal

Background and Aims: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the commonest cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) due to increased prevalence of traditional and nontraditional CVD risk factors. Our study aimed to evaluate these risk factors in pre-dialysis Nepalese CKD patients.&#x0D; Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Department of Nephrology, Bir hospital. Total 100 consecutive pre-dialysis CKD patients were enrolled. Ten traditional and six nontraditional CVD risk factors were analyzed and compared between CKD stages. Descriptive statistics was used to illustrate the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, chi square test for categorical variables and multiple logistic regression analysis was done to determine the risk factors of CVD in CKD patients. p-value&lt;0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.&#x0D; Results: Mean patient age was 52.03}13.64 years with majority (60%) of the patients being male. Comparison of traditional risk factors in different stages depicted similar trend except for old age in Stage 3 CKD (p=0.002). Anemia (p&lt;0.001), hyperphosphatemia (p=0.01), hyperparathyroidism (p&lt;0.01) and cumulative nontraditional risk factors were significantly higher (p=0.01) in stage 5 CKD. The predicted CVD events by Framingham risk score showed high risk in 37% with no significant difference among the stages. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed increased body mass index, low serum albumin and increased serum phosphate as the three significant predictors for left ventricular hypertrophy.&#x0D; Conclusion: Our study shows that the CVD risk factors were prevailing along the various stages of CKD. The occurrence of non-traditional risk factors increased with increasing stage of CKD.