MECHANISMS OF CARDIOVASCULAR INJURY IN RENAL-DISEASE

Patients with renal disease have an increased cardiovascular mortality . Hyperlipidemia, a hallmark of renal disease, is recognized as a prin cipal cause of atherosclerosis. However, it is difficult to prove a pa thogenetic role of renal dyslipidemia per se in this increased cardiov ascular risk since multiple risk factors are often present in patients with progressive renal insufficiency, e.g. hypertension, diabetes and hypercoagulability. However, evidence is accumulating demonstrating d etrimental effects of hyperlipidemia during both initiation and progre ssion of the atherosclerotic process. The present review discusses thi s evidence in patients with renal disease, and the possible implicatio ns for treatment.