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.